Basic HTML Version
pose of their genitals and their
right to privacy. Be explicit. Stress
that no one should touch them in a
sexual fashion.
Explain that there are good kinds
of touches like when Mom or Dad
gives them a good
night hug and kiss,
a nd bad kind s of
t ouches as when
someone touches
them in an area of
their body that is
private. This is
somet hing both
parents shou ld
talk over with
their children
together.
• Teach children that
any gifts offered them
must be acknowledged by
you before tbey can be
accepted.
• Instruct children to
run away from people
who touch them in wrong
ways. Teach them to yell
" No!" and run and tell
their parent or another
adult what has happened.
Introduce them to people
they can trust. S how
them where they can go
for help if someone tries
to bother them and they
can't fi nd you, the par-
ent.
• Let children know
that it is good for them to
tell you what has hap–
pened. Explain that you
want very much for them to do so.
Emphasize that when someone
touches them in a wrong way or
shows them something wrong, it is
not something that should be kept
secret.
• Instruct them to tell you if
someone asks them to take their
clothes off, or if someone with
whom they are unfamiliar asks to
take their photograph or talks
about sex with them.
• Don't force chi ldren to hug and
kiss anyone- even relatives- if it
makes the child feel uncomfort–
able. By coercing a child to be
affectionate, you may unwittingly
condition him to respond to an
abuser's advances as well.
• Teach your chi ldren their borne
telephone number and street
June
1985
address and how to use the phone
in an ernergency.
• Teach your c hildren never to
get into any car or go into any–
one's house without your permis–
sion.
• Avoid dressing a child in pro-
bilities for your c hild. Every time
you put your child in the care of
someone else, there's a chance- a
small chance-that your child will
be molested ."
But th e mos t
important thing
·.z~
~~~~~a~r:~ -~
(~
~.
'
'
1
"
Teach children that any gifts
oft'ered them must
be
acknowledged by you
before they can
be
accepted.
vocative adult-style clothing. Pe–
dophi les openly admit to being
sexually s t imulated by children
wearing "grown up" apparel. And
do not put children's names on the
outside of their c lothing or posses–
sions. Thi s gives a would - be
molester a first-name-basis advan–
tage.
Other Points to Keep in Mind
Be sure to thoroughly investigate
any individual or child-care center
you may wish to have mind your
child. Make sure that the child–
care center allows unannounced
visits by parents.
Better yet, says Kenneth V. Lan–
ning, a child-sex-abuse expert with
the FBI : " Whenever poss ibl e,
assume the child-caring responsi-
you, as parents, can do for your
children is to make sure they know
they have your total support. That
support is affi rmed to the child by
your reliabi lity as a parent. Incon–
sistency destroys your credibility.
And this includes your example,
your way of life. It involves the
very standards you set for yourself.
For example, if you accept pornog–
raphy in your borne, how can you
expect your. chi ldren to fi nd any–
thing wrong when a child abuser
shows them photos of " happy"
children engaging in sex with an
adult in child pornography?
Warren Mumpower, a convicted
pedophile, wrote a letter to the
U.S. Senate committee investigat–
ing child abuse. In his letter, he
pointed out: " As much as parents
13