source: https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens
Committee for Children's Hot Chocolate Talks - how to have age-appropriate conversations for safety
Adverse Childhood Experience Study (Harvard University)
Teaching Children (Committee for Children blog)
Teaching Children About Consent (pdf from SafeSecureKids.org)
Grooming refers to patterns of behavior used by sexual predators to gain the trust of a potential victim (and often their parents/caregivers) before coercing them to endure sexual abuse. Grooming reduces the risk of a predator being caught and is most effective against young children and teenagers. However, adults are also at risk, especially when vulnerable.
Grooming behaviors are usually employed by someone within the victim’s circle of trust, such as a family member, coach, teacher, spiritual leader, or others who naturally have interaction with the victim. Examples of grooming behavior include offers to provide help or support to caregivers to gain trust, or singling out a particular child for special attention or privileges. Lists of warning signs of grooming and signs of sexual abuse can be found online, see links below.
Red Flag Behaviors (Texas CPS Information Document)
Overview: Grooming: Know the Warning Signs | RAINN
Recognizing Grooming Behaviors (pdf compiled in our region)
“Duck Duck Groom” book by Anna Sonoda Amazon Link
Educating Your Children: https://tinyurl.com/WhatToSayAtEveryAge (Committee for Children)
Age Appropriate Conversations: https://tinyurl.com/AgeAppropriateTalk (ZeroAbuseProject.org)
Talking to Kids About CSA: https://tinyurl.com/TalkingToKidsAboutCSA (HeartWomenAndGirls.org)
Keeping Kids Safe: https://tinyurl.com/KeepingKidsSafeInfo (Canadian Center for Child Protection)
How Can I Protect My Child?: https://tinyurl.com/HowCanIProtectMyChild (RAINN)
• Warning Signs of Abuse: https://tinyurl.com/warningsignsofabuse
• Responding to Child Disclosure: https://tinyurl.com/ChildDisclosure (Safe Kids Thrive.org)
• Responding to adults disclosing child abuse by Becky Hamon
• Taking care of your child after assault: https://tinyurl.com/afterassault (Harborview Center for Sexual Assault & Traumatic Stress)
*Trigger warning: this training includes case studies of abuse shared in plain language.*