Child Abuse Risk Factors

• Parental depression or other mental health issues
• A parental history of childhood abuse
• Domestic violence

Tips for Children:

• Never enter a car or leave with anyone unless your parents, grandparents, or guardians say it is okay.
• Adults or teens who need help should ask other adults, NEVER children.
• If someone tries to take you away, break free and yell, “Help! This is NOT my MOM! This is not my DAD!”
• Use the buddy system and bring a friend along when you go places. Never venture out alone.
• Always ask your parents or guardians for permission before you enter someone’s home.
• No one should ask you to keep secrets. If someone does, tell an adult you trust right away.
• If someone tries to take your picture, say no and tell an adult you trust.
• No one should touch the parts of your body covered by your bathing suit, nor should you touch anyone else in those areas. Your body is special and private.

Tips for Parents:

• Support Groups
  • Parents need support and as much information as possible in order to raise their children responsibly.
  • Groups help teach parents how to cope with their own feelings of frustration and anger without venting them on children.
• Personal  Involvement
  • Supervise children, always. Involvement in your child’s activities is the best ways to prevent physical and sexual abuse outside the home.
  • All schools and child care programs should allow unrestricted and unannounced parental visits.
  • Pay careful attention to your child’s reports about and reactions to his experiences at school.
  • Always investigate if your child tells you he/she has been mistreated or if he/she undergoes a sudden unexplained change in behavior.
• Empower Your Child
  • Teach your child basic safety rules in a nonthreatening manner.
  • Emphasize that he/she will not get in trouble for telling you about abuse or other confusing events. Open communication is key.
  • Emphasize that you want to protect your child and that she must do her part by sharing these things with you. It will be okay.
  • Instead of teaching him that danger surrounds him, teach him that he is strong, capable, and can count on you to keep him safe, as long as he can tell you what is happening in his life.

Teach him that it is NOT ok for adults to touch his body if he does not consent or understand what is happening.