Prevent abuse and trauma before it happens

Communication Tips to Prevent Abuse

Talk about body parts. Use their correct names and identify which are private.

Set good boundaries and talk about them. Respect a child's right to say "no" when they do not want to be touched or feel threatened.

Discuss what to do if someone breaks the rules. Identify more than one adult a child could talk to.

Communicate the importance of not keeping secrets. Talk to your child about the difference between a surprise and a secret.

Model open, calm communication. We all get angry sometimes, but by modelling self-calming techniques, you can show that you are a safe person to talk about difficult topics with.

Have these conversations early and often. Show your child that no topic is off-limits.