preventing child sexual abuse 173
ACTIVITIES
Here are more activities to help your child be safer from sexual abuse.
Ways to help your child understand that
some parts of the body should be private
Explain to your child that her body belongs to her alone, and that some
parts of her body are more private than others. Explain that adults and
older children should not touch her genitals or private parts, and that
she should not touch an adult’s private
Your bottom
is a private
part of the
body.
parts, even if asked to. Use dolls,
puppets, or pictures, and show approval
or disapproval by your body movement
and facial expression.
Also, explain that if someone asks your
child to watch private things or look at
pictures of private things, that is not okay
either.
When your child is between 3 and 5 years
old, teach about genitals and other private
parts of the body, and about the differences between boys’ and girls’
bodies.
These are difficult ideas to teach, so use different methods to try to
make sure your child understands. Teaching can happen naturally, for
example while your child is getting dressed. You can also use or make a
doll to teach about body parts.
How to help your child learn to make noise or yell for help
Many deaf children do not like to use their
voices. This is because they are laughed
at or told they sound funny when they do.
Explain to your child that it is okay to shout
if someone is bothering him and he needs
help.
If someone hurts you, yell
or say ‘no’. Let’s practice
yelling out loud.
Teach your child that he should shout ‘No, no!’,
or ‘Help!’, or stamp his feet if an adult or older
child tries to hurt him. He can also scream,
bite, and struggle. Use dolls or play-acting to
show him what you mean.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)