Ways parents can protect children from sexual abuse

7 Ways Parents Can Protect Children From Sexual Abuse

April is both National Child Abuse Prevention & Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to helping raise education and awareness for childhood abuse.

Although we all want to protect our kids from sexual abuse, we actually don’t believe that they are at risk of sexual abuse. From the lecturer who demands to have sex with a student as a gratification to upgrade the low mark she scored in a course to the teacher who had been touching a 2 year old girl inappropriately. Sexual abuse is in the news all the time.

There is no standard way to protect children from sexual abuse, but there are steps you can take to reduce this risk. Naturally, the most effective approach is getting both teachers and parents involved.

Ways parents can protect children from sexual abuse

How can parents protect children from sexual abuse?

1. Be vigilant

This way, warning signs of child sexual abuse will be more obvious. If you see or hear something that causes concern, you can take action to protect your child.

2. Be unapologetically vocal about sexual assault

If your child is clearly uncomfortable with someone’s attention or an “uncle” is making crude comments about your child, tell them to STOP. Imagine a scenario where your little girl who just had her bath is playing around and a visiting uncle “jokingly” says you need to dress her up because she’s trying to seduce him or he calls her “sexy”. You don’t need to take such a joke or laugh about it. Express your displeasure. You can even send them out of your house and ban them from coming near your child, you’re not overreacting. Let them know you’re watching and you’re not afraid to speak up.

3. Be actively involved in your child’s life.

Show interest in their day-to-day activities. Ask them questions about what they did in school to make them know you’re interested.
Get to know the people in your child’s life. Know who your child is spending time with, including other kids they go to school with, the parents of their friends, and other people they may encounter. Talk about these people openly and ask questions so that your child can feel comfortable doing the same.

4. Choose caregivers carefully.

Whether it’s a babysitter, a nanny, a new school, or an afterschool activity, be diligent about screening caregivers for your child.

5. Create an environment where it’s okay to talk about sex

Talk about body changes, body image, sexuality, and healthy relationships. When there are sexual images or messages in the media, use them as conversation starters. And when there are events in the news such as the “sex for marks” case, use them as an opportunity to teach messages around good/bad touches and morals. Let children know that these are topics that you are happy to discuss. When you develop a positive and open relationship with your child, he or she is more likely to confide in you. When your child comes to you, your reaction is important. Your children can’t trust you if they suspect you don’t trust them. Will you believe your child over a “respectable adult”?

6. Monitor online predators

There are good and bad sides to the internet. Predators are now using it to get into contact with children. Talk to your child about these predators. Monitor screen time. Explain to your children why it’s important not to disclose personal information on the internet. Note that your teenagers might open fake social media accounts so that you don’t monitor it. Talk to your teenager. Emphasize on “no keeping secrets”. Your children need you, whether they accept that fact or not.

7. Empower your child with the necessary skills to help them identify risky situations and prevent abuse

The best way to avoid such is to teach and empower your child on how to prevent sexual abuse. A study has found that children taught by their parents about sexual abuse are better able to recognize inappropriate touch requests and have better personal safety skills compared to those taught by their teachers alone. Teach your child ways to prevent sexual abuse.

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