Adults are responsible for the protection and care of children. Be familiar with warning signs of potential abusers and watch for those behaviors.

Adults should routinely talk with children about body safety and uncomfortable touches. Believe children if they talk about uncomfortable touches or uncomfortable feelings with adults or teens.

Do not leave children with adults you don’t know or just met.  Get references or ask to speak with other families the caregiver/babysitter has worked for before leaving your children in that person’s care.

Teach children about body safety, uncomfortable touches and the importance of talking with you if they ever feel uncomfortable.

A child is never to blame or at fault for not telling. It is always adults' responsibilities to protect and care for children.

Reducing Risk

Abusers often start by using special attention to trick a child into trusting them and then violate that trust with words and touches. Please be aware of warning signs of an abuser:

• Insists on hugging, tickling, wrestling
• Comments on sexuality or sexual development of child
• Too much time alone with child
• Most of spare time spent with children
• Regularly offers to baby-sit many children for free   
• Buys children gifts/gives money for no reason
• Walks in on children in bathroom or while changing– invasion of privacy

Stand up for your child. 

Support your child if he/she asks for someone to stop, for example:

• "Becca doesn’t feel like giving you a hug now."
• "Andre doesn’t want to sit on your lap."