How to Talk to Your Toddler About Sexual Predators
Every parent has fears of their child being a victim of advances by sexual predators. These deep-seated fears are not unfounded. According to the Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute, one out of every five females and one out of every 10 males will be sexually abused by the end of their 13th year of life.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Listen to your child; if they exhibit irrational fears of being around or going with a particular adult, investigate the reason fully with patience and gentleness. Let the child know they can tell you anything, anytime and that you are on their side. Notice adults who give the child undue amounts of attention or gifts.
-
2
Practice role playing with your child repeatedly. Playact scenarios where a nice man drives up in a truck and offers to take your child to see some brand new puppies, or other scenarios showing how they can be lured and trapped by a sexual predator. Children grow and mature rapidly at toddler ages so be sure and reinforce the playacting every month or so.
-
-
3
Explain that most people are good and nice, but that there are some very bad people who want to harm children and you need to help them practice safety tips to keep them always safe, just as you practice ways to prevent them being burned in the kitchen, or while riding their bikes. .
-
4
Arm your child with the power to say NO with anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, whether it be a hug, an action or a touch by older children or adults. Teach your child the proper names of body parts--particularly the genital area. Explain that these are special and private, that no one should touch them in these areas and that there are only a few times when it is appropriate, such as a mother bathing a child or a doctor's examination.
-
5
Listen for tiny clues that something is troubling the child. Victims of molestations and sexual abuse report that manipulation and coercing is common. The abuser makes the victim feel embarrassed and guilty, and will try to convince them that their parents will not love them if they find out . Molesters may also threaten violence against a child's pet, sibling, toy or parent, according to the missingkids.com website.
-
6
Believe your child when they say they have been touched inappropriately. Few children would lie about something of such consequence, and professionals can usually weed these out by role playing and other forms of therapy. It is much better to risk a little embarrassment by finding out your child lied than to let them face a lifetime of their parents not believing them and not saving them when they were living through their worst nightmare.
-
7
Stay calm and loving if your child divulges anything about sexual abuse. Let them know that you are there to protect them and will not stop until the problem is taken care of.
-
1
