Young Children
Children are more likely to be the victims of abuse in the home, or from someone else they know, and can be as traumatised witnessing domestic violence as children who are physically abused themselves.

Bullying

Children are also at risk from other children, most commonly in the form of bullying, although they can also be bullied by an adult.

Kidscape guide

Kidscape is a national charity working to prevent bullying and child sexual abuse. This is what they recommend to help you keep your children safe.

• To be safe. Tell your children they have the right to be safe. No one can take that away.
  
  
• To protect their own bodies. Children must know that their bodies belong to them, especially the private parts covered by their swimsuits.
  
  
• To say no. Tell your children that it’s all right to say ‘no’ if someone tries to hurt them. A lot of children are told to always do what grown-ups tell them.
  
  
• To get help against bullies. Bullies pick on younger, more vulnerable children. Tell children to get friends to help them, and to say no without fighting. Make sure they tell a grown-up. Tell them to give up something a bully wants, such as a bike, if they are going to get hurt. Tell them that you will not be angry if they come home without it.
  
  
• To tell. Tell your children that they must always tell you what has happened and that you will not be angry with them.
  
  
• To be believed. If your child wants your help, they need to know they will be believed and supported. This is especially true in the case of sexual assault, as children rarely lie about it.
  
  
• Try not to have secrets. Child molesters that the child knows often say that a kiss or a touch is ‘our secret’. Tell your children that some secrets should never be kept, even if they said they wouldn’t tell.
  
  
• To refuse touches. Tell your children they can say no to touching or kissing if they don’t like it. If someone touches them and tells them it’s a secret, they must tell you. Never force your child to hug or kiss anyone.
  
  
• Try not to talk to strangers. Most well-meaning adults will not approach a child who is on their own, unless the child is obviously lost or distressed. Tell your children never to talk to strangers, and to politely ignore any approach from a stranger. Get them to tell you if a stranger tries to talk to them.
  
  
• To break rules. Tell your children that they can break rules to stay safe. They can run away, scream, lie or kick to get away from danger.

 

 

Back