What Parents Can Do to Prevent Child Exploitation

Preventing the Sexual Exploitation of Children

This information is provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

• Listen to your children.  Pay attention if they tell you that they don’t want to be with someone or go somewhere.

• Take the time to talk to your children.  Encourage open communication and learn how to be an active listener.

• Notice when someone shows one or all of your children a great deal of attention or begins giving them gifts.

• Teach your children they have the right to say NO to any unwelcome, uncomfortable, or confusing touch or actions by others.  Teach them to immediately tell you if this happens.  Reassure them that you’re there to help and it is okay to tell you anything.

• Be sensitive to any changes in your children’s behavior or attitude.

• Look and listen to small cues and clues that something may be troubling your children, because children are not always comfortable disclosing disturbing events or feelings.

• If your children do confide problems to you, strive to remain calm, noncritical, and nonjudgmental.  Listen compassionately to their concern, and work with them to get the help they need to resolve the problem.

• Be sure to screen babysitters and caregivers.  Many states now have a public registry that allows parents to check out individuals for prior criminal records and sex offenses.  Check references with other families who have used the caregiver or babysitter.  Once you have chosen the caregiver, drop in unexpectedly to see how your children are doing.  Ask your children how the experience with the caregiver was, and carefully listen to the response.

• Provide oversight and supervision of your children’s computer use.  Know who they’re communicating with online and where they may have access to computers.  Establish rules and guidelines for computer use for your children.

• Be involved in your children’s activities.  As an active participant, you’ll have a better opportunity to observe how the adults in charge interact with your children.

• Work with your children’s school to institute sound child-safety programs as part of their curriculum.

• Practice basic safety skills with your children and discuss their safety openly and honestly.  There is no substitute for your attention and supervision.  Being available and taking time to really know and listen to your children helps build feelings of safety and security.

BFC has complied a list of websites and books for parents looking for additional resources.