Reduce the Risk of Your Child Being Sexually Assaulted
Ask Questions and Trust Your Instincts
One in every four girls and one in every six boys will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday. Ninety percent of child victims are assaulted by someone they and their families know and trusted . . . perhaps even by a family member. Understanding that most children do know their abuser, Ralston House shares just a few of many ways you can help protect your child. You can help reduce their risk by being proactive with the adults with whom your child interacts.
More than 80% of sexual assaults occur during one-on-one time with another adult. Think carefully about the one-on-one time your child spends with other adults. It could be Sunday school, daycare, school, sports, or music lessons. Consider group activities/situations versus individual contact. Always -- 1) ask the following questions, 2) take the following precautions, and 3) trust your instincts.
--Does the organization conduct background checks on all adults working there?
--Does the organization have policies about recognizing signs and reporting sexual abuse?
--Are all adults trained to recognize and report abuse and on organizational policies?
--Do they have policies about adults having exclusive, one-on-one time with a child?
--If the answer is yes, ensure that you get a copy of policies. Ask how compliance with the rules is monitored and ensured. If the answer is no, ask why not. And if the answer is no, consider whether or not this is a safe place to leave your child.
--Note if one-on-one activities are open and observable.
--Inform staff that you are vigilant about your child’s safety and that sexual abuse is a concern of yours.
--Inform staff that you will be making unannounced visits off and on when your child is in attendance to see how the rules are being followed in the caring for children.
--Stay and observe practice or lessons.
--Talk to your child. Check in every day to see how the day went. The more open the communication, the more likely you will get a clear picture of how things are going.
--Pay attention. If your child is uncomfortable being around a certain adult, ask why.
--Trust your instincts. If you feel that the issue of sexual abuse is not taken seriously, trust your instincts and act on them.
This is far from a comprehensive list of prevention tips. For more information about how to protect your child from sexual abuse, please contact Ralston House child advocacy center at 720-898-6745. We would be happy to speak to your civic group, church, school or business about ways to reduce the risks. Ralston House provides services for children and teens who have been sexually assaulted or physically abused. In 2009, 685 child victims and their families from this community received help at Ralston House.
Your child is counting on you!
