It is important to teach children about safety. It is just as important to teach ourselves what we need to know in order to keep our children and communities safe. Here are some things that you and your family can do to prevent the sexual abuse of your children.
Adults Need To Take Responsibility
- Watch for signs of abuse—many children, especially young ones, are not able to protect themselves sexually
- Teach your children that their “no” will be respected, whether it is in playing or tickling or hugging and kissing. If your child does not want to give his grandfather a kiss, let him shake hands
- All members of the family have rights to privacy in dressing, bathing, sleeping and other personal activities. If anyone does not respect these rights, an adult should clearly tell them the family rules
- Report anything you know or suspect that is sexual abuse. Without help, the abuse will not stop
Adults Need To Learn, Teach And Practise
- Practise talking to other adults about the difficult topics. Say the words out loud so that you become more comfortable with using the words, asking questions, confronting behaviours
- Practise talking with both the adults and children in your life about their difficult issues to get them in the habit of talking with you. Show them that you will listen to what they say, even if the subject is embarrassing or related to something they have done wrong
- Teach children the proper names of body parts. This helps them to understand their bodies and to ask questions that need to be asked or for telling about sexual abuse
- Teach children the difference between OK touching and touching that is not OK—tell younger children to talk to you if anyone, family, friend or anyone else touches their private parts
- Teach children that secrets about touching are not OK
"Make a Plan - Teach your children about what to do and who to talk with if they are sexually threatened or molested by someone. Also, list for yourself who you can call for advice, information and help if you need it."
- If a person has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or may be in need of protection, the person must promptly report the suspicion and the information about which it is based to a CAS.
- If a person has made a previous report about a child and has reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is or might be in need of protection, that person must make a further report to a CAS
The person must make the report directly to a CAS and must not rely on anyone else to report on his or her behalf.
Both professionals and the general public have a duty to report. This is outlined in the Child and Family Services Act.
Any professional who fails to report a suspicion that a child is or may be in need of protection, is liable on conviction to a fine of up to $1,000.