The only way to prevent child sexual abuse is to encourage adults to talk about it, understand what it is, and know what signs to look for. Paying attention to children’s behaviour and listening closely to what they share can stop abuse.
Child sexual abuse is occurring in all communities and crosses all ethnic and socioeconomic barriers. Dismissing and minimizing the problem because we are uncomfortable with this reality only perpetuates the problem.
Sexual abuse touches all our lives in various ways, either directly or indirectly.
Educators are at the heart of change within schools and child care facilities, and have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in stopping child sexual abuse. They have unique relationships with children and families and as such, are in a position to respond to early warning signs. Providing lessons in schools and child care facilities ensures that all children learn strategies to prevent and disclose abuse.
Children who receive comprehensive preventative sexual abuse education are 3 times more likely to report abuse (Daniel Goleman, 1995). Prevention programs must include multiple lessons and should be given several times over the course of childhood. Effective education includes enlisting parents to deliver the message to their child along with what was taught in a school or child care facility.
Adults have a duty to protect children. We can no longer allow the discomfort and fear of others to interfere with child protection. Schools and child care facilities work with families as well as children, and play a critical role within the community. Organizations have a responsibility to children and parents to build awareness around the issue of child sexual abuse.
Organizations should expect parents to have questions about the program. Hold a parent evening to raise awareness about the issue of child sexual abuse, dispel myths, and answer questions. Invite experts to come and present to parents.
Parents may be concerned that their child is going to be unnecessarily frightened and taught information that is not age appropriate. Invite them to review the lessons. They will see that the information is designed to meet the developmental needs of children and build their safety competence and confidence. Show them that the lessons are drafted to empower their child, not scare her/him.
“Stranger Danger” is an ineffective way to teach children about safety because it is too vague. A child often associates strangers with scary individuals, and therefore believes s/he has never met one. Friendly and nice people are therefore never perceived as strangers. It is important to remember that a child is much more likely to be victimized by someone s/he knows than by someone s/he has never met.
The lessons are activity-based and fun. Children will likely play with the Teatree puppet and enjoy hearing the Teatree’s Keep and Speak Secrets storybook.
Familiarize yourself with the lessons and prepare how you will introduce the kit. A young child will look to the adult teaching her/him for cues as to how s/he should process the information. Showing signs of uncertainty can incite fear in a child; whereas being confident and comfortable will build her/his sense of security and comfort.
It is common for a child to share personal stories as they relate to the information. Make sure to protect her/him from overexposure if you feel the story is too personal. Gently thank the child for sharing and ask that s/he share the remainder of the story with you later. Personal safety should be taught in a matter-of-fact manner similar to how we teach other types of safety (such as fire safety, bike safety, crossing the street, and swimming safety). Remember, the educator’s feelings will be contagious!
The kit includes the poster “Secrets about taking pictures are NOT OKAY,” which reinforces what a child learns in the lessons about Keep and Speak Secrets. The emphasis in this message is on the secretive aspect of picture taking. Some adults who abuse children will take pictures to record the abuse. Creating opportunities for open discussion with a child using age-appropriate information will increase the likelihood that s/he will disclose if abuse has occurred and/or inappropriate pictures have been taken.
The kit includes information about how to recognize and handle a disclosure from a child (it is not your responsibility to be an expert in this area). Listen to the child and pay attention to what is being shared. Remember, it is not your job to confirm or investigate that abuse has or has not taken place. It is your job to report to a child welfare and/or law enforcement agency if you believe a child is in need of protection.