Children need protection and guidance to stay safe from harm. Sexual abuse is a serious concern, and proactive parents take steps to shield their kids from such dangers. Here are five essential practices that proactive parents follow to ensure their child’s safety.

1) Empower your kids with body safety and consent education

Even the most hands-on parent cannot be with their child all the time. Time spent away from the parents increases as the child grows older. It is therefore crucial to empower your kids with knowledge that can keep them safe – knowledge about their bodies and what is appropriate or inappropriate behaviour is crucial. Body safety and consent teaches kids about private body parts and ensures they understand boundaries. It teaches them that they have the right to say no if they feel uncomfortable. It also teaches them to recognize and report unsafe behaviour to a trusted adult. Most schools in India do not teach the concept, so it is up to parents to teach their kids using online resources and books.

2) Minimize situations where your kids are isolated

Parents need to avoid leaving their kids in situations where they may alone or isolated with others. If it is necessary to leave your child with others (like when you go to work, etc.), leave them with a trusted adult. For other activities like playdates, encourage group settings or public spaces.

3) Monitor the people (even relations!) who interact with your child

It is essential to know who interacts with your child regularly. This includes relatives, teachers, coaches, or any adult in their lives. In India, parents often rely on extended family to care for their kids when they cannot be with them. While you may trust them, it is always important to be vigilant and observe behaviours or signs of discomfort your child might display after spending time with someone. Another thing you can do is to regularly check in with your child to ask them how they feel about specific people. Ask them if they did anything unsafe or uncomfortable. Trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to set boundaries or limit interactions if anything feels off.

4) Speak up when you see someone breaking body safety rules with a child

Proactive parents are brave advocates for their children’s safety. If you witness anyone crossing boundaries or making your child uncomfortable, address it immediately. Approach the situation calmly yet assertively. Reiterate body safety rules and make it clear that such behaviour is not acceptable. This can be challenging in social settings, specially in Indian society where older people automatically receive a lot of respect and are difficult to question. Here are some scripts you can use:

To the child who is being forcibly kissed/hugged/tickled/lifted up:
“Would you like to give [person name] a wave instead of a hug?”

To the person who is not respecting the child’s boundaries: 
“We are teaching [child name] about body safety and consent to help them decide how they want to be touched.”

5) Create an open communication environment for your kids where they can ask you anything

Indian families often do not discuss topics related to sex, private parts and reproduction. But it is important to create an environment at home where your child feels safe discussing anything with you. Encourage questions and assure them that no topic is off-limits. Listen attentively, validate their feelings, and respond calmly even when they ask you about something that is not age-appropriate or a topic that you didn’t think they were aware of. Over-reacting to a question will make a child reluctant to speak to you because they may fear your reaction. Building trust through open communication makes children more likely to confide in you if they face any uncomfortable situations.

By educating their kids on body safety, minimizing isolated situations, monitoring interactions, speaking up against inappropriate behaviour, and ensuring open communication, parents create a strong defence against potential harm. Ensuring a safe environment where children feel heard and supported is key to their well-being. By implementing these practices, parents can empower their children and reduce the risk of sexual abuse.