Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to absolutely guarantee that your child will not be abused.  Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the chances of abuse occurring.  There are also steps you can take to increase the likelihood that your child tells right away when inappropriate touching occurs.

• Understand that abusers often become friendly with potential victims and their families, enjoying family activities and earning family trust.
• Talk to your children about appropriate/inappropriate touching.
• Avoid placing your child alone with one adult. Look for group situations instead.
• Lobby for policies limiting one-adult/one-child situations in all youth-related activities such as faith groups, sports teams, and school clubs. Make sure parents can interrupt or observe activities at any time and that background checks are done on people working directly with children.  Tell those that work with your child in these settings that you have talked to your children about appropriate/inappropriate touching.
• Insist that these groups train their staff to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
• Drop in unexpectedly when your child is alone with any adult or older child.
• Monitor your child’s Internet use, as this is how child molesters often interact privately with children, with the goal of luring them into physical contact.
• Set an example by personally avoiding one-adult/one-child situations with children.