A child’s safety is an adult’s job. Children are often taught in schools on how to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse — and that’s important for them to learn — but that’s no substitute for adult responsibility. We make sure our children wear seat belts. We walk them across busy streets. We store toxic household cleaners out of reach. Why, then, would we leave the job of preventing child sexual abuse solely to children and "the system"?

Learn some simple steps that you, as an adult, can do to protect children:

1. Learn the facts and understand the risks.  Realities, not trust, should influence your decisions regarding your child.

2. Minimize opportunity.  If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you'll lower the risk of your child becoming a victim.

3. Talk about it.  Child usually keep abuse a secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.

4. Stay alert.  Don't expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused.  If there are signs, they are easily attributed to other things.  

5. Make a plan.  Be ready if your child tells you that he/she has been abused.

6. Act on suspicions.  If you have a concern, take action!

Click the link(s) below for more detailed information about...

[ Learn the Facts ] [ Minimize Opportunity ] [ Talk About It ] [ Stay Alert ] [ Make A Plan ] [ Act On Suspicions ]

(Portions of "Protecting Your Child" information on this web site gathered from several sources including:  From Darkness to Light, Charleston, SC. For additional information regarding citations, see our "Facts and Links" page.)