Coordinated Community Response Column

When most people think of summer they imagine hot days, lemonade stands and time spent outdoors with those they care about. For many children, summer activities often mean a change in routine because school is no longer in session.

Another important aspect of summer that many people miss are the multiple opportunities for primary child sexual abuse prevention.

The goal of primary prevention is to prevent a problem from happening. While there are many wonderful people in the community who can intervene after an unfortunate situation arises, wouldn’t it be ideal if those problems never happened in the first place? This is why primary prevention is so important.

As adults, we often expect children to know when and how to ask for help in a variety of situations. In reality this may not be true, especially when kids are placed in situations outside of their norm. Instead of relying on children to protect themselves, primary prevention focuses on educating adults who can in turn confidently protect the children in their care.

Summertime brings forth many opportunities for parents and community members to educate children about sexual abuse. These opportunities often present themselves as families participate in summer activities including camps, family functions, water parks, sporting events, summer school, vacations, etc.

Below are some ways that adults can educate themselves and children about sexual abuse.

Talk about it: In the warm summer months kids often wear swimsuits. Review with them that their private parts are covered by their swimming suit. Remind them that it is only okay for someone to look at or touch those parts of their body if they are helping to keep them healthy or clean. Provide concrete, age-appropriate examples of when it would be okay – such as a doctor checking a private part that hurts or a parent helping a younger sibling bathe to keep their body clean.

Before a child goes to a water park, camping or a family function, review that it is not okay for adults or other kids they know to look at or touch their private parts. This is especially important because studies have shown that children are most often sexually abused by youth or adults that they know, not strangers.

If you cannot be present at an activity with your child, ask them which adults they would go to if they needed help or if someone makes them feel uncomfortable. After an event, check in with your child and see how the activity went. Many of these conversations may already happen naturally, but it is important to keep those conversations ongoing.

Become tech smart: Now, more than ever, parents and caregivers of children need to educate themselves about technology. It is important to know what types of technology your child is using not only while in your care, but when with others.

If your child goes to a friend’s or family member’s house, ask what type of technology they have and if your child is ever permitted on it. There have been many current, local news stories reported where children are becoming victims of internet crimes themselves or have hurt others by using technology. It is important to familiarize yourself with what apps and websites children and teens are using and how they are using it. When you speak to children about using the internet, emphasize to them that nothing they put online is private. Every picture, video and message they send is traceable and once something is put online, it can never be removed.

There are a variety of websites online that have tips for parents and caregivers on how to talk to kids about technology. If age appropriate, provide an example of how children have been hurt while online.

Check with organizations: If your child is involved in a community activity, you have the right as a parent or caregiver to ask about their policies. Inquire about whether employees and service providers have had a background check. If they have, ask how frequently that background check is updated.

You may also ask what sexual abuse prevention their employees and volunteers have as well as how frequently adults are allowed to be alone with children. Ask about their policies for reporting suspicions and disclosures of child sexual abuse within their agency. Employees may or may not be mandated reporters.

Summer is the perfect time to educate yourself and children in your care about sexual abuse prevention. If you are unsure of where to start or have questions about prevention, there are many community members that can help. Reach out to Child Protective Services, law enforcement or the Sexual Assault Center at 920.746.8996 for support.

This article is brought to you in part by the Door County Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teams and the Door County Elder and Adult-at-Risk Interdisciplinary Team.