A Child I know has been abused what do I do?
Just when you thought the unthinkable couldn’t happen it did. Nothing possibly could have prepared you for this moment.(Your thinking) A tear stricken child had just enough strength and courage to confide in you about the “Secret” they had been holding on to. They reveal to you in whatever language is comfortable and appropriate for them that they had been abused.(Sexually)Although those exact words are a foreign language and is likely not the language they would use with you, as an adult you know enough to know that is what transpired. Whether you are a parent, teacher, caretaker or anyone with a sense of empathy, you instantaneously go through a mixture of emotions. Emotions ranging from out rage and anger to concern, worry, sadness, betrayal and fear then grips every fiber of your being taking the right words to say right out of your mouth leaving you speechless. Hopefully you never find yourself in this predicament but if this is the case the most IMPORTANT thing you can do in this situation is LISTEN! Read More
PBS Kids!
9 out of 10 times if a fire was to break out a child as early as 3 or 4 years old would immediately know what to do. If it was to transpire in school children’s young ears would either be startled by the bell or amused and some maybe even a combination of the two. Regardless of either response children would then immediately seek out a Teacher/s that will in return lead them to safety which would be the nearest EXIT. Similarly if a fire was to break out in the home younger children would immediately seek out a parent or caretaker to lead them to safety. How is it that children this young know what to do if they are ever put in that predicament? Fire prevention is the answer that you are looking for. Read More
Is 2 years old too young to learn about Personal Body Safety?
As we begin to recognize more and more that there is a NEED to discuss Personal Body Safety with children as early as possible, the question then comes into play how early is too early? What is an appropriate age to begin this discussion with our children and students?
I was thinking about an idea for my next blog post when I came across an instagram post of mine that was re shared. Read More
Three sexually abused Women SURVIVORS that changed the Educational system for the better!
What do you get when you have 3 courageous women + 3 powerful stories? The results = countless children’s lives changed!
You have these three different women from three different walks of life. Jenna Quinn, Erin Merryn and Lauren Book.However they all have one thing in common. Unfortunately they were sexually abused but refused to be victims but instead CHOSE to be victors and CHOSE to turn their pain into purpose. Their stories look a little something like this……. Read More
Child Sexual Abuse is a crime. Is it the Parents or Educators job to Teach Prevention?
As an Early Childhood Educator and one who genuinely loves children, just the mere thought of an innocent but yet vulnerable child becoming the target of an older individual’s sexual sick and perverse fantasies is enough to make my stomach turn. As I began conversing with Educators on the topic of Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, I kept hearing a similar but yet alarmingly shocking response that sounded along the lines of this “It’s the parent’s job to do that.” My heart sank deeper than the ocean as I immediately began to think about those children in the foster care system who don’t even have parents. Whose job is it to reach those in the system that are silently being violated behind closed doors? Read More
Should Children’s Books on Personal Body Safety be allowed in Classrooms on Bookshelves?
Posted on July 22, 2018 5 Comments
Reminiscing back to your 4 or 5-year-old days in school story time was more than likely one of your favorite times of the day. Your Teacher made an announcement for students to come to the carpet. You make your way there anxiously awaiting to see what would be the story of the day. Your Teacher tenderly reminds you as well as others to sit Criss Cross applesauce as the story begins. Read More
4 Tips for Parents on Child Sexual Abuse Prevention.
Posted on July 11, 2018 6 Comments
Talking with your child can be one sure way of preventing your child from being sexually abused. I used the term with and not to for a reason. Talking to your child causes them to be all ears while you talk about the uncomfortable and yet taboo topic of safe body touch in an age appropriate way. Talking with your child causes them to go beyond being all ears but gives them a voice to talk with you about the uncomfortable topic. I believe that this is practice in giving them a voice IF the unthinkable was to happen or sadly IF the unthinkable is happening. All too many times abusers practice silencing their victims.
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Senator Lauren Book Q and A Interview conducted by Daisy Copelin
Posted on July 10, 2018 3 Comments
Lauren Book is an Educator, Child Advocate,Wife, Mother and Author of It’s okay to tell and Laurens Kingdom. A memoir and a children’s book geared toward child sexual abuse prevention. Alongside her being an amazing and courageous individual she is one of the 42 million survivors of child sexual abuse in the United States. If this wasn’t enough Lauren is president and founder of an organization out in Florida called Lauren’s Kids. Her organization’s mission is to educate adults and children about sexual abuse prevention through in-school curricula, awareness campaigns and speaking engagements around the country and the world.
