How do we stop the silence?
There are several ways that parents and caregivers can teach children to speak up about childhood sexual abuse:
Encourage open and honest communication: Encourage your children to talk to you about their feelings, experiences, and concerns. Make it clear that you are a safe and supportive person who they can confide in.
Educate children about their bodies: Teach children about the proper names for their body parts and explain that no one should touch them in ways that make them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Empower children to make their own decisions: Encourage children to trust their own feelings and to speak up if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Let them know that they have the right to say no to any form of physical contact that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Use age-appropriate language: Use age-appropriate language to teach children about healthy and unhealthy boundaries. Explain to them that it is never okay for someone to touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Model good communication skills: Show children how to effectively communicate their boundaries and needs by setting healthy boundaries and communicating openly and honestly with others.
Encourage children to seek help: Let children know that they can always come to you or another trusted adult if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Teach them how to seek help and support if they experience any form of abuse.
By teaching children these skills and empowering them to speak up, you can help create a safe and supportive environment in which they feel comfortable seeking help if they ever experience abuse.
