When schools, communities,
agencies, & families work together,
we really can keep
our children safe!
Once
per school year, an educator from PASSAGES, Inc. presents a program to all children in the DuBois
Area School District. For children in Kindergarten through
forth grade, the program focuses on safe and unsafe touches.
Children are taught "The Touching Rule"
which is defined as Another person should never touch the private parts
of our bodies except to keep us clean and healthy. Children
learn that private parts are simply the
parts of our body that are covered by our swim suits. If someone
breaks the touching rule, children should say
"no," run away, and tell a grown up. Various age
appropriate media forms such as puppets, picture cards and videos are used to
help children understand the importance of these concepts.
PASSAGES, Inc. also offers an internet safety program for students in grades 4 and 5. This
program helps children be aware of the dangers of using the internet.
On-line safety tips are explored and children are warned about giving out
personal information when using the internet.
For
students in 5th grade, the topic of peer sexual
harassment is defined as Any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature
that makes us feel uncomfortable and may interfere with our ability to learn at
school. Students discover that the 4 types of sexual harassment are
physical, verbal, written and visual. Along with these types of
harassment, students learn what they should and should not do if they are being
harassed. Differences between teasing, joking and bullying
are explored through the use of examples. Finally, the consequences
of engaging in sexual harassment in the school setting are discussed.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN PARENTS KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE FROM SEXUAL ABUSE?
Begin talking about safety at an early
age. Just as we teach our children to look both ways before crossing the
street and to wear a helmet when riding a bike, we also need to
teach children rules about personal body safety. Talk openly and
honestly with your child and make sure they know they can talk to you about
anything.
Make it a special point to:
~ Talk about the names for private
body parts. This allows children to have the
"language" to talk about sexual abuse.
~ Take the time to listen carefully
to your child and show that you are open to
whatever
he or she wants to share.
~ Repeat "The Touching
Rule" over and over. Don't make it a "one time only"
discussion.
Make sure your child knows:
* Most touching is safe. Some touching is UNSAFE.
* It is NOT their fault if someone touches their private body parts.
* Children should NEVER keep secrets about touching.
* It
is never to late to tell. Children should keep telling until someone
believes them.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
More information about
indicators of sexual abuse & what to do if your child has been abused is
available by contacting PASSAGES, Inc.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
PASSAGES Inc. also provides FREE and
CONFIDENTIAL services to victims and survivors of sexual
violence. Services are also available for friends and family
members. Services provided include:
~ 24 Hour CRISIS Hotline...1-800-793-3620
~ Individual and group counseling
~ Medical accompaniment
~ Legal advocacy through the entire legal
process
~ Volunteer training
~ Information and referral
~ Professional in-service training
______________________________________________________________________________________________
If you would like more
information, contact PASSAGES, Inc. at
90 Beaver Drive
Suite 212 D
DuBois, PA 15801
814-371-9677
1-800-793-3620
exdir@csonline.net
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