lsws grant biography prevent child sexual abuse

Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

Teach Your Child

1. Talk to your child on a daily basis and listen to what they are saying.
2. Teach your child about good and bad touches.
3. Teach your child names for the different parts of their body.
4. Teach them that no one can touch their private areas or do anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
5. Without scaring your child, tell them that some adults might try to touch them in an inappropriate manner, even adults they might know.
6. Tell them that they should not keep secrets from their parents, even if someone has threatened to harm them or their parents.

Watch for Behavioral Indicators and Changes

1. Bedwetting
2. Significant change in school performance
3. Sexually transmitted diseases
4. Fears and phobias
5. Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person
6. Excessive masturbation
7. Acting more infantile
8. Bleeding or discharge from rectum or vagina
9. Sore or swollen genital areas
10. Stained underpants
11. Pain on Urination
12. Age inappropriate knowledge of sexual matters
13. Running away
14. Self desctuctive behavior

These signs are in and of themselves, conclusive evidence that your child was sexually abused. They must be looked at in conjunction with other behaviors and factors.

If Your Child Discloses Sexual Abuse

1. Do not panic or overreact to the information
2. Calmly listen to the child and ask them what happened
3. Do not criticize your child for what happened
4. Believe your child, because children rarely lie about sexual abuse
5. Praise your child for telling you what happened
6. Tell the child that you will protect them
7. Notify local Law Enforcement or a Child Protection Agency
8. Seek medical help for your child from a physician trained to deal with and recognize sexual abuse.

Selecting A Child Care Provider

1. Visit the caregiver
2. Confirm any Community Care Licensing requirements
3. Talk to other parents who have used the caregiver
4. Ask the caregiver questions