This week Old Bonhomme students participated in a Safe Touch class presented by Jewish Family & Children Services, unless parents asked for them to not participate in the class. Below are some questions parents might want to review with their child at home. All answers are taken from the American Academy of Pediatrics website information on Child Sexual Abuse.
1. Which parts of the body are considered private, and what are they called?
a. The parts of the body that are private are the vagina, penis and bottom. It’s important for kids to know the anatomically correct terms for their private parts. In early childhood, parents can teach their children the name of the genitals, just as they teach their child names of other body parts. This teaches that the genitals, while private, are not so private that you can’t talk about them.
2. What are the reasons that an adult might have to look at or touch the private parts of your body?
a. The only reason that an adult would have to look at or touch the private parts of your body is to keep you healthy or keep you clean. For example, a doctor might have to look at or touch a child’s private parts during a checkup. A parent might help a child get dressed or take a bath, which helps keep them clean. But, that person should NEVER ask the child to keep it a secret.
3. Do we keep secrets from our parents?
a. Teach children early and often that there are no secrets between children and their parents, and that they should feel comfortable talking with their parent about anything -- good or bad, fun or sad, easy or difficult. Surprises, like gifts, parties, etc. are different, because they are secrets that someone will eventually find out. Abusers rely on secrecy in order to get away with abuse. Without secrecy they are not able to abuse.
4. What do we do if someone does touch our private parts in a not okay way?
a. Follow the body safety plan: Say no, run away and tell a trusted adult! Some examples of trusted adults are parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, teachers, counselors and principals.
If your child discloses any history of sexual abuse, listen carefully, and take his or her disclosure seriously. Too often, children are not believed, particularly if they implicate a family member as the perpetrator. Contact your pediatrician, the local child protection service agency, or the police. If you don’t intervene, the abuse might continue, and the child may come to believe that home is not safe and that you are not available to help. Most offenders are known to the child; they may be family members, relatives, friends, teachers, coaches, babysitters, and others in positions of authority.
