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Consider these recommendations for protecting
your children from harm and criminal activities. Help
them to understand that even as children they have
rights as listed below:
To be safe.
Tell your children they have the right to be safe.
No one can take that away.
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.
To protect their own bodies.
Children must know that their bodies belong to them.
To avoid having to keep 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
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
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 to keep it a secret, they must
tell you. Never force your child to hug or kiss anyone.
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
you will not be angry if they come home without it.
To tell.
Tell your children they must always tell you what
has happened and that you will not be angry with
them.
To break rules.
Tell your children
they can break rules to stay safe. They can run away,
scream, lie or kick to get away from danger.
The same rules apply to teenagers about
staying safe when they are out and about. Helping your
children to be independent is a vital part of growing
up, but they must also know how to look after themselves.
Young people are more likely to be the victims of theft
and assault than any other age group. They are also
the least likely to report a crime against them. Being
honest with your children, and encouraging them to
be honest with you, will help. You should ask them
to tell you if they are in trouble, or if they have
experienced any crime. Talk to them about ways to
stay safe when they are out and about. Make sure they
know the risks of what they are doing – taking
drugs or drinking, going out and meeting new people.
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