Understanding body autonomy and consent is critical for safeguarding children against abuse. We can prevent harm and protect children’s well-being by empowering them to speak up and report abuse in its early stages. Parents and caregivers can begin teaching children about body autonomy and consent as early as preschool, and these discussions should continue to evolve and expand as children grow older.

Here are some practical suggestions to get the conversation started:

1. Teach your child that their body belongs to them and that they alone have control over it.
2. Explain that everyone has private parts that are covered by their bathing suits and underwear.
3. Encourage your child to call their private parts by their proper names, such as penis, vulva, and vagina.
4. Teach your child that no one should touch their private parts, and that they should not touch the private parts of others.
5. Teach your child about safe and unsafe touches, as well as personal space and body boundaries.
6. Empower your child to say “no” if someone enters their personal space without their permission.
7. ⁠Teach your child to say “no” and seek help from a trusted adult if someone touches or asks them to touch their private parts.
8. ⁠Encourage your child to create a Safety Network of trusted adults, which should include at least one person from outside the family, like their teacher.
9. Explain the distinction between secrets and surprises, and encourage your child to never keep secrets that involve private parts.

Remember, if your child or a child in your care trusts you enough to tell you about an incident, it’s important that you believe them and take appropriate action to protect them from further abuse.

Empowering children with the knowledge of body autonomy and consent from a young age can lay the foundation for a safer future. Start the conversation keep it going, so children know they can speak up & be heard.