10 Steps To Being Part Of The Mama Bear Effect

Have you taken these 10 steps to protect the children you know and love from sexual abuse?

1. 1. I talk to my kids about body safety.

   They know the difference between safe and unsafe touches. They know what private parts are and the rules abut them. They know five people they could tell if someone broke the rules. They understand that ‘no’ and ‘stop’ are important words and must be followed - especially when it comes to each other’s bodies. They know they don’t have to hug, kiss, or be touched by anyone if they don't want to. They know we don't keep secrets - especially ones that make us sad, confused, or scared.

    Yes, I do all of that!

   Yes, I do all of that!

    No, I've got some body safety work to do.

   No, I've got some body safety work to do.

2. 2. Our family and friends know our body safety rules.

   My partner, parents, inlaws, siblings, aunts & uncles, cousins and close friends know we teach and exercise body safety with our kids.

    Absolutely.  I know it's important to surround our children with family and friends educated in body safety.

   Absolutely.

   I know it's important to surround our children with family and friends educated in body safety.

    No, not entirely.  Talking about body safety can be awkward, but it's important to find a way to involve it in conversation with those we trust around our children.

   No, not entirely.

   Talking about body safety can be awkward, but it's important to find a way to involve it in conversation with those we trust around our children.

3. 3. I occasionally check in when my child spends time alone with other people.

   Whether it’s during a play date, a family gathering, or with a babysitter it’s important to establish an understanding that you are a vigilant parent, that your presence is not always predictable, and, for your benefit, to gain a sense of how people interact with your child when you are not present.

    Yes, I do this.

   Yes, I do this.

    I need to up my game on this one.

   I need to up my game on this one.

4. 4. I know the warning signs of grooming.

    Yes.  I know that gaining the trust of adults as well as the child and increasing affection and closeness with a child is often part of the process to breaking down a child's barriers.

   Yes.

   I know that gaining the trust of adults as well as the child and increasing affection and closeness with a child is often part of the process to breaking down a child's barriers.

    No.  I've never heard of grooming as a technique of abusers.

   No.

   I've never heard of grooming as a technique of abusers.

5. 5. I know that juveniles are just as capable of committing sexual abuse.

    Yes.  I teach my kids body safety to help make sure they don't abuse other kids and I remain watchful when my kids are with other children as well.

   Yes.

   I teach my kids body safety to help make sure they don't abuse other kids and I remain watchful when my kids are with other children as well.

    No.  I had no idea that as much as 40% of abuse is perpetrated by other children.

   No.

   I had no idea that as much as 40% of abuse is perpetrated by other children.

6. 6. I know to look for symptoms of abuse in children.

   Even the most educated child may be too afraid or uncomfortable to tell someone. Knowing that a change in behavior, regression, or newly sexualized behavior or knowledge may indicate a child has experienced sexual abuse.

    Yes.  I know to look for these signs and observe my child's behavior before and after they spend time alone with other people.

   Yes.

   I know to look for these signs and observe my child's behavior before and after they spend time alone with other people.

    No.  But I will find out!

   No.

   But I will find out!

7. 7. I know my child's daycare, school, and/or youth program's policies on abuse prevention.

   Every business or organization that works with children should know how to interview potential employees and volunteers, train staff for abuse prevention, and establish clear policies to reduce risk and ensure proper reporting of suspected or disclosed abuse.

    Yes, I know.

   Yes, I know.

    I have no idea.

   I have no idea.

8. 8. I have educated myself on how to handle suspected or disclosed abuse.

    Yes.  I know that I should remain calm, patiently allow the child to talk, to not push or 'suggest' what may or may not have happened, and to let the child know that I believe them, that they are not in trouble, and that I am proud of them for telling. I also know it is in the best interest of the investigation to report to the authorities and follow their advice to maintain the authenticity of the child's report.

   Yes.

   I know that I should remain calm, patiently allow the child to talk, to not push or 'suggest' what may or may not have happened, and to let the child know that I believe them, that they are not in trouble, and that I am proud of them for telling. I also know it is in the best interest of the investigation to report to the authorities and follow their advice to maintain the authenticity of the child's report.

    No.  But I think I better educate myself so I'll be prepared.

   No.

   But I think I better educate myself so I'll be prepared.

9. 9. I know those that all sexual offenders are not 'pedophiles'.

    Yes.  I know the difference between a preferential offender and a situational offender.

   Yes.

   I know the difference between a preferential offender and a situational offender.

    No.  What is a situational offender? I have no idea.

   No.

   What is a situational offender? I have no idea.

10. 10. I know that it's an adult's responsibility to protect children.

    Only abusers are to blame for their actions, but they cannot be stopped unless those that care are educated and take action to protect children.

     Yes.  I know that teaching kids body safety is only one part to keeping them safe from sexual abuse, but that it's the responsibility of adults to reduce risk and maintain that our children are surrounded by people that know and exercise body safety prevention techniques.

    Yes.

    I know that teaching kids body safety is only one part to keeping them safe from sexual abuse, but that it's the responsibility of adults to reduce risk and maintain that our children are surrounded by people that know and exercise body safety prevention techniques.

     No.  I thought teaching kids body safety would mean they'd be able to protect themselves.

    No.

    I thought teaching kids body safety would mean they'd be able to protect themselves.

Child Sexual Abuse is a Silent Epidemic

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With 1:4 girls and 1:6 boy estimated to be at risk of sexual abuse before age 18, it is essential that every caring adult know the risks and how to protect and empower children.

www.TheMamaBearEffect.org is the website of our nonprofit organization. We provide educational resources, free downloads, educational brochures, and other materials to help raise awareness for this cause and help strengthen families and communities to keep kids safe.