All parents worry about their children's safety. The
following are tips from
KIDSCAPE
Tips for parents
Parents should teach their children to:
Be safe. Tell your children that they have the right to be
safe. No one can take that away.
Protect their own bodies. Children must know that their body
belongs to them.
Say no. Tell your children it's alright to say no if someone
tries to hurt them. A lot of children are told to always do what grown-ups
tell them.
Get help against bullies. Bullies pick on younger, more
vulnerable children. Tell children to get friends to help them, and to say
no without fighting. Make sure they tell a grown-up. Tell them to give up
something a bully wants, like a bike, if they are going to get hurt. Tell
them you will not be angry if they come home without it.
Tell you. Tell your children they must always tell you what has
happened and that you will not be angry with them.
Be believed. If your child wants your help, they need to know
they will be believed and supported. This is especially true in the case
of sexual assault, as children rarely lie about it.
Not keep secrets. Child molesters known to the child often say
that a kiss or a touch is 'our secret'. Tell your children that some
secrets should never be kept, even if they said they wouldn't tell.
Refuse touches. Tell your children that they can say no to
touching or kissing if they don't like it. If someone touches them and
tells them to keep it a secret, they must tell you. Never force your child
to hug or kiss anyone.
Not talk to strangers. Most well-meaning adults will not
approach a child who is on his own, unless he is obviously lost or
distressed. Tell your children never to talk to strangers, and to politely
ignore any approach from a stranger. Get them to tell you if a stranger
tries to talk to them.
Break rules. Tell your children they can break rules to stay
safe. They can run away, scream, lie or kick to get away from danger.
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