North Metro Children’s Advocacy Center places a high priority on prevention efforts.  We have developed a “Family Safety Plan” to assist all parents/care takers and guardians responsible for children.

A. Educate everyone in the family

Understand healthy sexual development in children as well as the sexual behaviors that may be concerning. Learn the warning signs of a child who may have been hurt by sexual abuse; including warning signs in an adult, adolescent or child that may be touching a child in a sexual manner. You should also be concerned about “non-touching” behaviors, i.e. showing children pornography. Teach children the proper names for body parts and what to do if someone tries to touch them in a sexual manner. Teach your children that no one has the right to touch their private parts (unless a doctor for medical reasons) and they should never touch anyone’s private parts.

B. Open the lines of communication.

Talking with a child, adult or adolescent about sexualized behaviors should be an ongoing conversation not a one time event. Everyone in the family should be comfortable asking questions. It’s important for adults to set the tone for everyone by talking about the range of healthy sexual behaviors as well speaking up about sexual abuse. Make sure the entire family knows its okay to talk about anything that may already have happened-you will always love them and you will always help them, no matter what.

C. Set clear family boundaries.

Discuss and set boundaries with family members and other adults who spends time around or supervises children. If a child does not want to hug or kiss someone hello/goodbye then a hand shake is perfectly acceptable. If a child is not comfortable with a particular adult, adolescent or child you or some other adult must tell that person, i.e. tell him/her you don’t want your child to sit on their lap or what ever behavior is at issue. As children mature boundaries will need to be adjusted. Knock before you enter an adolescent’s room or bathroom.

D. Get safe adults involved.

Make sure no one in your family is isolated. Identify one or more support people for each family member. Research shows one of the key factors to a child’s resilience is he/she had someone to talk with and confide in. Be a safe responsible and consistent resource for a child or adolescent. If someone is “too good to be true” ask more questions-this person may not be safe for your child to be around. Unconditional trust cannot protect children from harm.

E. Know your local resources and how to use them.

List someone to call for advice, information and help. Learn about the agencies in your area. Know who to call if you think or learn a child has been sexually or physically abused.

F. Care enough to reach out for help.

If you’re concerned about sexualized behaviors in a parent, cousin, sibling, friend, neighbor, grand parent etc. talk with a professional about your concerns. You could talk with someone in human services, social services or law enforcement about the situation and your concerns. If you are concerned about your own thoughts or feelings toward a child, help is available call “Stop It Now” at 1-888-PREVENT.