Children's Resources
Protective Behaviour Education
It is essential to teach children protective behaviours. They need to know from an early age what parts of their bodies are private and also what parts of an adults body should remain private also. Knowing this, they are better equipped to be aware when an adults actions towards them are wrong.
Most books on protective behaviour focus on "strangers" actions to them. Unfortunately, most sexual abuse occurs in the home and is perpetrated by close family members. Reading these books with children can be an excellent way to introduce them to the concept that NO adult, including family members has the right to hurt or interfere with their private parts, unless they need medical attention.
Children should also be taught to use the correct terminology for bodily parts. Many judges and police or social workers have said words to the effect that it is hard to know if abuse took place when words used are unclear and misleading.
And as we teach our children of the sanctity of their bodies, we must also ensure that if they have been wrongfully approached in any way, that they have a safe and supportive person to talk to. Even though it seems these days, that believing your child puts a protective parent on the fast path to family court sanctions and loss of residency, we must never lose sight of our God given responsibility to protect our children from harm.
The Feminist Bookshop,
Located in Sydney, this retail shop has many excellent books to teach children protective behaviours Go to the book list and look under Children and Teenagers.
Protective Behaviours Consultancy Group NSW
Over the past ten years there has been an increased awareness of all areas of children's safety, particularly that of children's personal safety. We are now aware that children are more likely to be harmed by someone they know, than by someone they do not know. This web site provides resources and training material, including children's books to teach protective behaviours.
Protective Behaviour Publications
A selection of books that children find easy to read, and where to find them.
This series of links is to assist children to survive and rebuild after experiencing violence in their young lives.
Aardvark Programme
A program for children who have experienced living with Domestic Violence.
The program allows children to talk freely about their feelings, speak up about being scared, angry and unsafe.
PARKAS Parents Accepting Responsibility Kids Are Safe
The PARKAS program began at the request of adult clients who had been the victems of domestic violence, as well as clients who had been the perpetrators of family violence. The intention was to develop a child focused group work program that would assist children to rebuild often fragile relationships they experienced with their parents/carers as a result of family violence.
Immigrant Women's Support Service - Kids and DV
This section is designed to assist refuge workers and other practitioners, non-abusive parents, and care-givers, to work with children who have experienced domestic violence. It has a particular focus on immigrant and refugee children.
Helping Children Thrive
WHO might be assisted by the information in this resource?
• mothers transitioning from abusive relationships
• mothers concerned about how violence may have affected their children