Our Personal Message to You About Sexual Abuse Healing and Prevention
Tool Kit for
Educators and Advocates
Below are suggestions for teaching sexual abuse prevention, warning signs and activities
If you wish to contribute additional ideas, please contact us
- Research and obtain as much information and help that you need. Utilize the recommended agencies listed in Feeling Safe by Autumn Grace and Mom as well as this website. Contact local agencies to see what free materials they have available for you.
- Because visual aids leave a lasting impression, obtain as many books, DVD's and take home activities that you feel will benefit your group or individual.
- To make it easier to focus on your goal, list your objectives. Suggested objectives are: knowing to tell an appropriate adults when they see or experience sexual abuse, understanding good and bad touching, understanding how a person feels when they are abused.
- Educate children in the touching rules. Use correct terms for the body parts. Specify what parts of the body are private. Teach that their body belongs to them and they have the right to refuse touching.
- Assist your students to make a list of safe people in their community that they can tell when they witness or experience this abuse.
- Children need reinforcement to help them retain rules. Utilize the Take Home Activity Sheet, and/or the suggested activities from the Abuse Recovery activities. The activity sheet will give the children the opportunity to express their ideas regarding different emotion words highlighted in this book, create their own picture of feeling safe, as well as take home the Red Star Page, which lists national helplines.
- Develop an open and comforting dialog with those you are teaching. Make sure that they understand that this abuse is never their fault.
- Be prepared to help a child if they disclose to you that they have been abused.
- Remember, your efforts will chance a life.
Know the Warning Signs[1] • Regular complaints of physical pain such as headaches, stomach pain and/or joint pain • Frequent nightmares, fear of the dark, or unable to sleep alone • Returns to and/or increase in thumb sucking and/or bed wetting • Fearful of being left alone with certain people or in specific places • Knowledge of sexual acts or terms that are not age appropriate • Genital infections or irritations • Self-stimulation of private spots or excessive masturbation • Depression, withdrawal, easily cries without being provoked, or fearfulness • Change in eating habits that promote either weight gain or loss • Poor grades or discipline issues at school; could also include delinquency at school • Low self-esteem • Drug or alcohol abuse • Running away • Self-mutilation or suicide attempts Sample Warning signs: [1] Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR). “About Sexual Violence: Child Sexual Assault,”
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Take Home
Activity Sheet
Created by Maggie and Autumn, the Take Home Activity Sheet is a fun reinforcement activity designed to encourage disclosure of abuse. Included in the activity sheet are: a word search-based on key emotional words found in the book, a red framed box for the child to draw their own “feeling safe” picture, the Red Star Page, and riddles.
A Survivors Guide to Abuse Recovery Activities
When a person is sexually abused there are many ways it can impact their life. Not only is there the need to regain the feeling of safety, there are numerous social and emotional factors that must be strengthened. The following list are sample activities that will benefit individuals who have or have not been sexually abused. We welcome any additional suggests that you might have.
Safety Clothing: Decorating fresh and clean clothing with pictures of what helps them to feel safe. Suggested items of clothing are---t-shirts, hats, robes, slippers, and shoes.
Good Things About Me Jar: In a decorative jar or box, place folded slips of paper listing positive things about the individual. You can also include uplifting quotes. These slips of paper can be read any time an emotional boost is needed.
Memory Box: Help the individual decorate a special box to hold treasures and memories of life away from the abuse. Also include a vision of what they are looking for in the future. This will help to put focus on positive actions.
Alternative Therapies: Equestrian Therapy introduces a special bond between horse and humans that inspires healing. Art or Music Therapy enhances creativity with a therapeutic initiative.
Vision Board: A vision board is a collage of pictures which highlights goals/vision for the future. When an individual creates a board, their future becomes more tangible and realistic.
Self Defense: Basic defense classes will reinforce control and security.
Full Fill a Dream: Help the individual and their family to find a way to achieve a lifelong desire. One resource is www.sunshinefoundation.org.
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