The Boys & Girls Clubs of America recently published an article defining 11 actions adults can take to prevent child abuse, and confirmed that child abuse prevention starts with awareness and having routine, honest conversations with kids and teens. The article provides action steps that all adults can take, not just parents and guardians. It’s important to remember that every child needs five to six safe adults to be “trusted adults” because not all parents are “trusted adults,” and it’s all our responsibility to ensure children are protected from abuse.1
The Parent Cue explains that while some of us may have been fortunate enough to have had someone we could talk to, other than our mom or dad, about the big stuff and the little stuff, not every child does. Trusted adults may be coaches, teachers, neighbors, friends, church members, grandparents or other family members who understand it is their responsibility to ensure the children in their lives need them and are willing to step in to take action when it was necessary. We all know what a difference those relationships can make.2 The 11 actions all adults can take to advocate for child abuse prevention: 1
- Get involved in the lives of kids and teens who are important to you
- Watch for “grooming” or “manipulative” behaviors in adults
- Vet after-school care organizations or caregivers for your children
- Assure kids in your care that they can talk to you about anything that bothers or confuses them
- Teach children the accurate names of private body parts
- Empower youth to make decisions about their bodies by giving them age-appropriate privacy
- Educate youth about the difference between “good” and “bad” secrets
- Track kids’ and teens’ use of technology, including cell phones, social media sites and online messaging
- Create a family safety plan and ensure all family members know it inside and out
- Trust your instincts and if your gut is telling you something is wrong, it most likely is!
- Stay calm and offer support to your children so they know you are their trusted advisor
It’s essential for every “trusted adult” to actively engage in building trust, offering guidance, being present, and demonstrating consistent support, empathy, and wisdom to ensure every child has the necessary resources to prevent potential abuse. If you are interested in learning more about this topic or becoming a member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit https://advocatefortheinnocent.org/memberships/ to learn more. References:
1 –https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2024/September/preventing-child-abuse/
2 – https://theparentcue.org/why-your-kids-need-five-other-adults-in-their-lives/