Parent Resources What to do if a child tells you they have been abused Be approachable- ready to talk and listen Always remain calm- may reaffirm child's fears if you appear upset or angry Reassure them you are glad they told you Don't make any promises Don't keep it a secret Seek the appropriate help immediately Call Local Law Enforcement or 1-800-25-Abuse How to Reinforce Personal Safety at Home Be approachable, let kids know they can come to you with problems and questions List trusted adults they can talk too Use appropriate name for body parts Have touching rules in your family Watch videos or read books about personal safety Role play 'what if" situations Let them know it is okay to say no to an adult who wants to touch their private parts Let them know they have a right in who touches them Prevent Child Abuse Illinois State chapter focuses on prevention programs. A good source for parenting education and resources. www.preventchildabuseillinois.org Love Our Children Comprehensive resource center with topics concerning child abuse, as well as parenting education and kids/teens information www.loveourchildrenusa.org National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Provides assistance to parents, educators, children, law enforcment, and the community by raising awareness about ways to prevent child abduction, molestation, and sexual exploitation. www.missingkids.com Reading List Parents are strongly encouraged to read each book before deciding to give them to your children. Children Freeman, L. (1982). It's My Body. Parenting Press, Inc. Girard, L.W.(1984). My Body is Private. Albert Whitman and Company. Hammerseng, K. (1995). Telling Isn't Tattling. Parenting Press, Inc. Johnsen, K. (1986). The Trouble with Secrets. Parenting Press, Inc. Satullo, J.A.W. (1987). It Happens to Boys, Too. KIDSRIGHTS. Spelman. (1997). Your Body Belongs to You. Albert Whitman & Company. Westheimer, R. (2001). Who Am I? Where Did I Come From. Golden Books. Cavanaugh-Johnson, T. Understanding Children's Sexual Behaviors. Teens Carter, W. (2002). It Happened to Me. New Harbinger Publications Harris, R.H. (1996). It's Perfectly Normal. Candlewick Press Mather, C.L. & Debye, K.E. How Long Does it Hurt? Jossey-Bass Publishers Mayle, P. (1975) What's Happening to Me? Kensington Publishing McGee, K. (2003). Unmasking Sexual Con Games. Boys Town Press Moles, K. The Teen Relationship Workbook. Wellness Reproductions & Publishing Parents Adams, C. Helping Your Child Recover from Sexual Abuse. Univ. of Washington Press. Whiting-Alexander, D. Children Changed by Trauma. New Harbinger Publications. Brohl, K. When YOur Child Has Been Molested. Jossey-Bass. Kearney, T. Caring for Sexually Abused Children. Monahon, C. (1993) Children and Trauma. Jossey-Bass Publishers Schaefer. What Only A Mother Can Tell You about Child Sexual Abuse.