As parents we want to say the right things to our children. At Our Kids, we’ve noticed over the years, there are things parents sometimes say to children when they are worried about sexual abuse that could make it more difficult for a child to disclose the abuse.
Below is a chart that will help you find the right words to talk to your children about sexual abuse. You can also download the PDF here.
We recommend talking with your child regularly and generally about their activities, people in their life and how they are feeling. If you are concerned that something or someone is bothering your child, ask more specific questions. If the groundwork for open, non-scary, non-threatening conversation has been laid, then children are more likely to disclose.