talking to your kid(s) about child abuse

mina_mina1

 

So I am a social worker and even though this is a tough subject I went to an amazing training that gave some great suggestions on how to broach the subject of abuse (physical and sexual) with kids with two books for kids called "my body belongs to me" and "a very touching book". Other good info is below!!

-Local San Antonio agency that shared info with me: https://www.childsafe-sa.org/

-National agency that does awesome work: https://www.radkids.org/

-Another website I heard was awesome: https://www.netsmartz.org/Parents

Hope this is helpful all!!

LoCarb

in your training did they mention an age this subject s/b introduced?

groovygrl

interesting, thanks!!!

to pp I don't know the right answer but I talked to my kids starting around 2 1/2 about their privates being their vagina/penis/bottom and generally the parts of their bodies covered by diapers/underwear and girls' bathing suit tops and that no one should be touching them there if they're helping them with the potty or giving them a bath, etc... my DD actually was scratching around the other day sitting next to me on the couch and I was like, honey is everything ok? and I kind of put my hand there to point and see what she was doing exactly (she had on a ballet costume & I thought maybe it was digging in) and she goes- MOMMY! stop touching my privates! That is very bad behavior!

HAHA. it was pretty funny but I didn't laugh at the time to show her respect and acknowledge that it was the right thing for her to do if someone did that, and I said you're right honey! but let me know if something is bothering you so I can help you.  I'm not too sure DS would react the same, he is oblivious to everything.

KathrynMD

LoCarb:

in your training did they mention an age this subject s/b introduced?

I started talking about "private" "her body" when we started potty training and its just an ongoing conversation.  This is your body, other people shouldn't touch it, mommy and daddy should always know if anybody touches you there (so if there's a reason for the teacher or doctor/nurse to touch her, its OK) if you don't like how somebody's touching you, tell them, tell me.  We use the right names for things, but we don't talk about that alot.

Yesterday, I told her to change into her bathing suit in the living room to save time, but she excused herself and said, "I'm naked, that's private,  I'm going to go to my room".  Of couse, she flashed me in her room. .. .

We're also trying to talk about modesty now too - so people shouldn't see her underpants, she shouldn't look at anyone else's, etc.