In a bid to cut down on the number of child sexual abuse in the world, parents/ guardians are adviced to teach their kids body part at a young age. Mention body parts and talk about them very often. Use right names for body parts, when you are comfortably using these words and telling them what they mean, this can help a child speak out if something wrong has happened. You can teach your kids body part in the following manner;
Teach your children that their private parts are called private because they are not meant for everyone to see. Tell them people cannot see them naked.
Tell your child that no one should touch their private parts and that no one should ask them to touch somebody else’s private parts. Parents often leave out the second part of this sentence. Sexual abuse usually begins with the abuser asking the child to touch them or someone else.
Some abusers will tell the child to keep the abuse a secret. This can be done in a friendly way, such as, “I love playing with you, but if you tell anyone else what we played they won’t let me come over again.” Or it can be a threat: “This is our secret, if you tell anyone I will kill you.” Educate your kids that no matter what anybody tells them, body secrets are not good and they should make sure they tell you if somebody tries to force them keep body secret.
This one is mostly left out by parents. This world is filled with pedophiles that take and sell pictures of naked children online and it puts your child at risk. Tell your kids that no one is permitted to take pictures of their private parts.
Some children are afraid telling people “NO”, especially older adults. Teach them that it’s okay to tell an adult “NO” and that they have to leave, if he/she is asking them to do something against what Mummy/Daddy has taught them. Also, help give them words to get out of uncomfortable situations.
As children get older, you can give them a code word that they can use when they are in danger.
Children always tell their abusers that they didn’t say anything because they feel they will get into trouble. This fear is always used by the abuser. Teach your child that you’re their safe heaven and no harm can come to them for telling you a body secret.
Many parents and books talk about “Good touch and Bad Touch,” but this can be confusing because often these touches do not hurt or feel bad. I prefer the term “Secret Touch,” as it is a better deception of what may happen. Make your kids understand that some touch may feel good, but they’re bad touch.
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