What can you do to Help?
Create safe communities for children
It is important for adults to feel confident in their ability to protect children from violence. Children are not responsible for protecting themselves or avoiding sexual abuse. Parents, guardians, educators, and other adults can create safe communities for all children by:
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Becoming comfortable talking with the children in their lives about their bodies and physical development, respecting when a child does not want to give or receive physical touch such as a hug, kiss, or high-five (even if it is from a family member).
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Practicing action steps when another adult acts inappropriately with a child or children (such as insisting on spending time alone with a child or not respecting the child’s boundaries).
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Knowing what support is available if they think abuse
is happening. -
Reaching out for help when they suspect any form of abuse against a child
​We can all help create respectful, healthy, and safe places for children. You can make your community a better place
for everyone
If a child shares abuse with you or you suspect that a child is being abused, this may be information that you are required to report You may also wish to make a report simply because you care about the safety and well-being of children. For information on reporting child abuse and neglect in your state go to www.childwelfare.gov or call The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
Create safe communities for everyone
Every person has the ability to promote and share respectful behaviors. This can be as simple as privately asking a friend not to make inappropriate comments or as public as intervening during an argument or conflict. Taking action in some way, shape, or form begins to change the thoughts or beliefs or norms of a community.
For example, a friend of your family makes “jokes” or comments about a highly-publicized case of sexual assault. They imply the victim is at fault. In this situation, you could:
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Share the information you know about sexual violence and say that sexual assault is always a choice made by the perpetrator and victims are never at fault.
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Ask compassionate and thoughtful questions about the person’s attitude. Why do they feel that way? Maybe having a discussion could change their attitude or belief.
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Tell them those comments are not appreciated in your home/workplace/presence and you would appreciate it if
they stop.
These small actions can create monumental changes. We bring around change when we do something that interrupts or brings attention to something people see as “normal” or accepted. People who commit sexual violence rationalize their actions with belief in inequality and oppressive attitudes and systems – changing these attitudes and systems can begin to bring about an end to sexual violence
Encourage healthy relationships and interactions
Many of the messages we receive from media are violent, manipulative, or harmful to both young women and young men. It is important to think carefully about these images and stories so that you can create healthy relationships and sexual experiences. Consent means both people actively agree with what they are doing together. It is a mutual decision that both people make without any coercion or force. Consent is best recognized when it is verbal and when it shows a “yes” or something like “sure” or “please”.
Some ways you can practice consent:
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Ask the other person if they are comfortable when you are in a sexual or romantic situation. This doesn’t have to be formal or stuffy, a simple “Are you OK with this?” works just fine.
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Wait for a verbal “Yes” (or clear body language like nodding their head that tells you they feel good about the situation). Silence, a “No,” or physically resisting means things need to stop.
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Answer honestly and verbally when someone asks you for consent. They might not know about this kind of consent, so have a conversation ahead of time. Again, it doesn’t have to be a big deal, just a simple request between two people who respect and like each other