Keeping your Children Safe
A
playground bully, an adult stranger, even a familiar grown-up, can represent a
threat to a child - physically or sexually. Many children are now being taught
how to stay safe, often through special lessons at school. This is what the
KIDSCAPE charity
suggest that parents teach their children:
- To be safe
Tell your children they have the right to be safe. No one can take that
away.
- To protect their own bodies
Children must know that their body belongs to them, especially the private
parts covered by their swimsuits.
- To 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.
- To 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.
- To tell
Tell your children they must tell you what has happened and that you will
not be angry with them.
- To 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.
- To 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.
- To refuse touches
Tell your children 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.
- To 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.
- To 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.
Keep your personal properties safe
Protect the Elderly
Back to Personal Safety Guide