Social Best Practices to Prevent Childhood Sexual Assault

“When we talk with our children about sexual abuse, we are not only taking a proactive step toward protecting them, we are building our relationship with them--grounded in honesty and trust. It's a win-win situation.” ~Carolyn Byers Ruch

Social best practices to prevent childhood sexual assault begin with its own prime directive. RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. defines child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that includes sexual activity with a minor. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period.

Social Best Practices to 

Prevent Childhood Sexual Assault

Responsible Adult Action

Engage children you believe sexually abused. Get involved immediately for their protection and get them the help they need. Report observations to the appropriate authorities; law enforcement and child protective services.

Parental Training

Responsible parents engage learning and training sessions to identify the signs a child is experiencing sexual assault. Stop It Now’s Tip Sheet offers observable behavior that can indicate Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse in a Child's Behaviors. Among them are onset of sudden nightmares and sleep problems, seems distracted and distant, leaves clues likely to prompt discussions of sexual issues, refuses to talk about a secret, and suddenly has money and gifts unaccounted for.

Family Accountability

Families must conduct regular evaluations with children and others that observe them for awareness of their personal safety from the behavior of older children and adults, whether two parent or single parent households. Two-parent households should conduct their evaluation together with and in the presence of a trusted person or professional. Children respond differently to different people. The only order of business for the evaluation is to determine safety of the child at home, at school, and with others.

Organized Families and Communities

Organized people and organized resources increase opportunities for action that makes a difference in the lives of children, families and communities. Covenanting to watch for and protect each other’s children provides for a safer and more secure environment for child safety. When children know they are cared for and protected, they prove to be more often to all who look out for them. This process also works for adults.

Take the Pledge

Take the Pledge that says, “I/We commit I/We will cause no harm to children; physical, sexual, social, emotional, or criminal.  I/We commit to be active observers at all times in the best interests of children and child safety. I/ We will report all observations causing concern about child safety to the appropriate authorities.  I/We commit to this pledge.”

These social best practices to prevent childhood sexual assault are not exhaustive. They are not a place to end but a place to begin. Children deserve adult best direction, love and care.

For further information, visit RAINN, Stop It NOW’s Circles of Safety, or get the free download of the National Plan to Prevent the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children.