April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and while it’s not a topic of celebration, as a local parent, there’s nothing more important to me than raising awareness to keep our kids safe. Abuse is a tough topic, but one that we really can’t afford to ignore—and the more we educate ourselves (and our kids), the more effectively we can prevent these absolute horrors from happening. Every kid deserves a childhood after all.
The good news? There are people out there who are devoting their lives to stopping such abuse. Enter: Lauren’s Kids, a nonprofit founded by former Florida State Senator Lauren Book, a child sexual abuse survivor who is on a mission to protect children and empower families with the tools they need to stay safe. For the 10th year, Book is walking the state of Florida to raise awareness about child sexual abuse. Her “Walk in My Shoes” event will take her from Key West (April 1) to Tallahassee (April 30), covering hundreds of miles to give a voice to survivors and advocate for stronger protections for children. She’ll be passing through Boca Raton on Sunday, April 6, and the public is invited to join her!
Lauren’s Kids also has a ton of resources available for parents, caregivers, and educators through Safer, Smarter Families. It’s an educational platform designed to teach kids (separated by age group) about body safety, boundaries and recognizing unsafe situations.
There’s a lot to review on the site, but I wanted to share some quick, practical tips I learned that you can start implementing today to keep your kids safe.
Teach the “Body Safety Rules”
Even if you have young children, these three rules are a great way to get started teaching your kids about body safety.
- You are the boss of your body. No one has the right to touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
- There are NO secrets. Abusers often use secrecy to manipulate children. Teach them that surprises are okay, but secrets are not—especially ones that make them feel uncomfortable.
- Use correct anatomical terms for private parts. This helps children communicate clearly if something happens.
Identify a Trusted Triangle of Grownups
Encourage your child to name three trusted grownups they can turn to if they feel unsafe. These should ideally be people in different areas of their life. Options could include a parent, a teacher, a coach or a family friend.
Encourage Open & Honest Conversations
Kids need to know that they can tell mom and dad anything, without fear of getting in trouble. Keep conversations age-appropriate and ongoing and watch for signs of grooming and abuse.
Monitor Online Activity
Predators often target children online. Keep an eye on your child’s social media, gaming and messaging apps. Know who they are talking to and be sure to discuss the importance of never sharing personal information over the internet.
Child sexual abuse can be preventable when we educate and empower our kids with the tools they need to stay safe. Let’s do our part locally and at home ensuring we have these important conversations with our children starting at an early age.
Michelle Olson-Rogers is a mom of one and the founder of Modern Boca Mom, an award-winning lifestyle website for the stylish & modern South Florida parent. She can also be found on Instagram at @modernbocamom.
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