In The Field
Resources from raisingchildren on child sexual safety now available
Freya Lucas
Jul 17, 2020
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Australian Government funded parenting website, raisingchildren.net.au, has launched a range of free resources for parents and professionals working with parents on child sexual safety.
Although the topic may be uncomfortable and confronting for some members of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) profession, supporting children and families to become more educated and aware in this space can prevent the estimated 8 per cent of boys and 20 per cent of girls who experience sexual abuse as children.In a report about the issue, Bravehearts quoted Gilmore, 2017 who said “Put all those numbers together, and you could fill the MCG eight times over with children living in Australia right now who have been or will be sexually abused. Of those instances of abuse, 90 to 95 per cent will be committed by men”
The ten new articles are designed to help keep children safe by providing information on topics including how to talk to children and teens about sexual abuse, recognise signs of grooming, and access help lines and services.
Professor Julie Green, Executive Director at raisingchildren.net.au acknowledges that it can be hard for parents and carers to raise difficult topics with children but there are some conversation starters that can help.“The raisingchildren.net.au article on talking to children about child sexual abuse discusses how to explain to children the difference between ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ secrets, and to talk to children about the way their body might react if they feel scared or unsafe,” she said.
The resources were developed to provide easily accessible, free information on child sexual safety and contain evidence-based information along with links through to helpful services and support.
All content shared on raisingchildren.net.au goes through a rigorous content development process and works with more than 200 expert reviewers from across Australia to ensure relevant, researched and accurate information is published on the site. In addition, to ensure the quality of raisingchildren.net.au content, a Scientific Advisory Board reviews all content to make sure it reflects best current evidence.
The new articles are:Child sexual abuse – what it isChild sexual abuse – talking to childrenChild sexual abuse – talking to teensPreventing child sexual abuseSigns of sexual abuseSigns that someone is involved in child sexual abuseChild sexual abuse – what to doGrooming signsChild sexual abuse help and support for childrenChild sexual abuse helplines and services
More information is available on the raisingchildren.net.au website, here.
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