- Educate your child about his or her body and “private parts” (body parts that are covered up with a modest bathing suit).
- Use the correct terminology (penis, scrotum, testicles, vagina, breasts, labia) when talking about these parts of the body.
- Talk about the difference between “good touch vs. bad touch” with words and phrases your child can understand, including the term “sexual abuse”. If children are not taught about “sexual abuse”, they will not know how to tell you they were sexually abused.
- Teach your children to say “NO!” very loudly to anyone who wants or tries to touch their private parts in a way that makes them feel confused or uncomfortable, or if asked to touch an offender in an inappropriate manner.
- Don’t force your children to hug or kiss people they don’t want to—even their grandparents. It sends the wrong message to children, and teaches kids to ignore their confusing or uncomfortable feelings to the point where they do it anyway.
- Teach your children to tell you or an adult they trust if anybody touches their private parts or if they are touched in any way that makes them uncomfortable. (However, most children will not tell anyway). Don’t leave your child where you wouldn’t leave a bag with a million dollars in cash.
