Empower – Prevention of Sexual Abuse
Child Sexual abuse is more prevalent in our culture than we care to admit. As parents, it is our primary responsibility to keep our children safe.
It is important that you develop awareness about the subject in order to safeguard children from abuse. Educate yourself. Understand child sexual abuse and equip yourself with the knowledge and skills to deal with it. Watch for any sudden personality changes in your children and broach the subject with them if you notice something amiss.
Teach your children about body awareness and safety. Talk about safe and unsafe touch. Encourage your children to share any experiences related to unsafe touch. If they approach you about such an experience, listen and validate their feelings. Reassure them that you will keep them safe. Take active steps to prevent the offender from accessing your children thereafter.
Your children are bound to have questions. Respond with grace. Answer the questions that you can. For the ones you can’t, tell them honestly that you don’t know the answer, and maybe research it together.
Train your children in personal safety, and emphasize that they have the right to say ‘No’ to anyone who makes them feel unsafe. Assure them that they can always come to you if something like that happens, and that if it does, it is never their fault. Designate a ‘safe circle’ of friends whom they can approach in an unsafe moment in case you are unreachable. Above all, revisit the topic often as a family.
The acronym “EMPOWER” is used for easy recall of the tips and pointers given above.
Educate yourself about sexual abuse
Make it a priority to talk to your children about safety
Provide a safe space to discuss abuse
Observe your children for any signs of sexual abuse
Weather the storm of questions gracefully
Equip your children with knowledge, tools and resources
Revisit the topic periodically
