Kindergarten

A sexual abuse prevention program developed by an Arizona Girl Scout Council is used to educate young children about avoiding abuse.  We teach that a bathing suit covers the private parts of  your body, and that no one, unless for medical reasons, has the right to touch those body parts.  This discussion also addresses sexual abuse that is verbal or visual.  Children are taught to yell, run, and tell.

First Grade

In the video, "My Body Belongs to Me", the children meet a puppet named Mark and a school counselor.  The children learn that there are parts of the body that are private, and a bathing suit covers those parts.  No one, unless for medical reasons, has the right to touch those body parts.

Children also learn that there are good touches and bad touches.  If someone gives a bad touch, children can yell, "NO!  Leave me alone!"  Then, they are to get away and tell a grown up.

The puppet Mark and the counselor also discuss that a secret about a bad touch is a bad secret.  Children should keep good secrets, but they do not have to keep bad secrets.

Second Grade

The second half of the video "My Body Belongs to Me" is used for the second grade.  A puppet, Baby Bear, and Dave, the school counselor, teach the same topics covered in first grade.

Third through Eighth grades

This guidance program focuses on the 3 R's of abuse--be it sexual, emotional or physical.  Those 3 R's are Recognize, Resist, Report.

• Recognize - Your body is your own.  Your feelings are important.  There are many different kinds of touches:  good, bad and confusing.  No one has the right to touch the private parts of your body, except for medical reasons.
• Resist - Children have the right to say "NO" to people who touch them in bad or confusing ways.  Say "NO" in a loud voice and get away.
• Report - Don't keep a bad secret.  If someone touches the private parts of your body, it is not your fault.  It is the adult's fault.  Tell and keep telling until someone believes you.

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Parents should know what is going on in the lives of their children and pay attention to subtle signs of a problem.  When we observe and communicate with our children, we are more likely to detect the signs if they are in danger.  We can notice a sudden change in behavior, if they get moody or aggressive, lose interest in school, or stop taking care of their personal hygiene.