How You Can Help Prevent Abuse

Teach Kids Body Safety

  • Teach your children about the difference between good touch and bad touch.
  • Teach and use the proper names for body parts.
  • Set and respect family privacy boundaries.
  • Tell your child it's OK to say "no" to an adult.
  • Be aware of and set limits on your child's use of technology.
  • Let your children know you'll support them when they request privacy or say no to an activity or type of touch that makes them feel uncomfortable.
  • Encourage your children to confide in a "safe adult" (school counselor, grandparent, trusted family friend, etc.) if they feel they can't talk to you.

LEARN MORE

The "Hot Chocolate Talk": Tips for Talking with Your Kids About Sexual Abuse 

Talking to Kids About Preventing Abuse

Talking to Children and Teens

Create a Family Safety Plan

Ten Ways to Teach Your Children Skills to Prevent Sexual Abuse

Screen Caregivers

LEARN MORE

Nine Questions Parents Need to Ask When Selecting a Program for Their Child

Promoting Sexual Safety in Youth Sports

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in Youth Serving Organizations
55-page publication summarizes best practices. Produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

North Carolina Sex Offender Registry

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How to Start the Conversation

It’s normal to feel uneasy about broaching the topic of sexual abuse with your kids, but talking about it helps keep them safe. Watch this video to get four important tips on how to start the conversation and download the conversation guide for more helpful tips.
Keeping Children Safe During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Resources for Parents
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ABUSE PREVENTION
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Protecting Children During a Crisis
Free 30-minute online training about how to minimize the risk of child sexual abuse during the pandemic. Provided by Darkness to Light.

Protective Steps for Parents During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Practical tips for parents and caregivers from Darkness to Light.

ONLINE SAFETY

Online Safety Planning During COVID-19
Ways to minimize risk when your child goes online from Stop It Now.

Safe Online Learning
Tips for parents from Darkness to Light.

NetSmartz
Tons of online safety resources for children, teens and parents from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

CHILDCARE

Navigating Emergency Childcare Concerns
Advice about how to find safe child care in an emergency from Stop It Now.

PARENTING TIPS

Positive Parenting In COVID-19 Isolation
Tips about how to manage stress, stay positive and help kids cope with the new reality. Provided by End Violence Against Children. 

Parenting in a Pandemic: There's No Road Map for This
Videos with tips about common parenting concerns in the pandemic. Provided by Kidpower, a child empowerment curriculum used in the Wilkes County Schools.

Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis
Tips for nurturing and protecting children at home from the Child Mind Institute.

Supporting Teens and Young Adults During the Coronavirus Crisis
Tips for parents with older children at home from the Child Mind Institute.

Emotional Safety Tips for Families During the Pandemic
Provided by Kidpower, a child empowerment curriculum used in the Wilkes County Schools.

Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus
Kids worry more when they're kept in the dark. From the Child Mind Institute.

Coronavirus Parenting: Managing Anger and Frustration
How to keep your cool under pressure. From the Child Mind Institute