Ask the Expert
Julie Kelly, Supervisor,
St. Luke's Child Protection Center
CPC Sexual Abuse Prevention
Body ownership and sexual abuse prevention tips:
- Teach children to say "NO"
- Teach children to go and tell a grown-up
- Keep telling until a grown-up helps them
- Make it clear the abuse is not their fault
- Teach children proper names for body parts; Family names for body parts may be confusing if the child goes to a non-family member for help
- Teach children their body belongs to them and nobody has the right to give them a touch they do not want
- Explain and distinguish between good, bad and confusing touches
- Teach children they need not blindly obey someone, but have your permission to say no to protect themselves
- Talk openly about sexual abuse. Unless the subject is clearly explained, children do not really understand what is meant
- It is important to explain that sometimes adults who children know, trust, love or who have authority over them (babysitter, teacher, police officer) may try to do something wrong with or to them
- Teach your children not to keep secrets
- Teach your children to say they must ask their parents before accepting gifts from others
- Teach your children if anyone threatens them or their family to tell a grown-up immediately
- Identify five grown-ups your children can go to for help. Discuss how the child can contact them
- Practice - make sexual abuse prevention rules part of your family rules
For More Information
St. Luke's Child
Protection Center
Hiawatha Children's Campus
1095 N. Center Point Rd.
319/369-7908
