Safe Kids
Education
Our prevention education teaches children, Preschool through Fifth Grade, about safe and unsafe touch, and what you should do if you feel unsafe.
Schedule a Presentation
Contact Claire at prevention@safeharborcac.org or call 269-673-3791.
For Children & Teens
For Adults
Training
Safe Harbor would like to bring the Stewards of Children program to your community group to teach adults how to protect children from child abuse through using the 5 Steps to Protecting Our Children:
- Learn the Facts
- Minimize the Opportunity
- Talk About It
- Recognize the Signs
- React Responsibly
Safe Harbor also offers MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING for teachers, school personnel, clergy, medical professionals, mental health providers, daycare providers, and all others required to report suspected child abuse under state law.
Schedule an Adult Prevention Program
Contact Lori at director@safeharborcac.org or call 269-673-3791.
Resources for Parents
Protect Young Eyes
Internet Safety for Families, Schools & Churches
Bark
Parental Control App for iPhone, Android, & Amazon Fire
The Mama Bear Effect
Empowering Adults to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse
Axis
Connecting Parents, Teens, & Jesus in a Disconnected World
What Teachers are Saying
Schools We Partner With
Allegan
North Ward Early Childhood Center
Dawson Elementary
Pine Trails Elementary
West Ward Elementary
L.E. White Middle School
Otsego
Alamo Elementary
Washington Street Elementary
Dix Street Elementary
Plainwell
Cooper Elementary
Gilkey Elementary
Starr Elementary
Paw Paw
Paw Paw Early Elementary
Glenn
Glenn Public School
Hopkins
Hopkins Elementary
Sycamore Elementary
Martin
Brandon Elementary
Fennville
Fennville Elementary
Innocademy
Wayland Union
Baker Elementary
Dorr Elementary
Pine Street Elementary
Steeby Elementary
South Haven
Lincoln Elementary
Maple Grove Elementary
North Shore Elementary
Bloomingdale
Pullman Elementary
Bloomingdale Elementary
How are you going to Respond to a child’s disclosure of abuse?
Having a simple plan in place will help you in responding to the child.
The BEST indicator that a child has been abused is the child’s own spontaneous report.
“The reaction of the person to whom a child discloses has a significant impact on the psychological adjustment to trauma.”
– Roesler, T. (2000)
“Adult’s reaction to child’s disclosure of abuse will influence degree of permanent damage.”
– Brown University Child & Adolescent Behavior Letter, 16(8)
What to Do or Say
1. Repeat what the child said — use reflective listening.
- You said your _____ did ______?
- Write down exactly what the child said “verbatim”.
2. Praise the child for their bravery for telling now.
- “Thank you for telling me.”
- “You are brave for telling.”
- “I am very proud of you for telling me.”
3. Answer the child’s questions honestly.
- Keep the child informed as you find out.
- “I don’t know what is going to happen, but I am going to do everything I can to help protect you.”
4. Explain that you are going to tell only special people who help make families safe. Promise not to keep the information confidential. a. I’m not going to tell other teachers or students. 5. Express empathy, care and no change in feelings. a. I’m sorry that this happened to you. b. I believe you c. This does not change what I think about you. d. What happened is not your fault.
What You Should NOT Do or Say
1. Ask Questions. No Who, What, Where, or Why?
- Leave the interview process in the hands of a trained professional forensic investigator.
2. Asking why the child waited to tell is shamming and blaming.
- Delayed Disclosure is normal and expected.
- “Why didn’t you tell someone sooner?”
- “Why did you wait to tell anyone?”
3. Making promises that you cannot keep.
- “You won’t have to go home.”
- “That will never happen again.”
- “Your mom or dad is going to go to jail for that.”
4. Saying that you’ll keep what the child has told you a secret.
- Do NOT tell co-workers or others beyond the police, child protection and professional policies.
- “You will never believe what ____ told me.”
5. Minimizing or questioning the child’s truthfulness.
- “That’s not that big of deal, I have heard much worse.”
- “Your dad could go to Jail, are you telling the truth?”
Touching rules to keep YOU safe:
No one should ever touch your private parts except to keep you clean and healthy.
Never agree to keep it a secret.
Tell someone you trust.
Safe touches make us feel
happy.
Unsafe touches make us feel
sad, scared, or confused.
What should you do about an unsafe touch?
NO!
GO
TELL
Safe Harbor Safe Kids Stay Safe Online!
- Tell your parents if you see something that makes you uncomfortable
- Do not post or give people your private information—name, address, phone number, school
- Do not talk to others online that you do not know in person
- Never agree to meet someone in person that you only know online
- Talk to your parents before posting pictures
- Remember that once it is online, anyone can see it!
- Check with parents before downloading.
- Do not share passwords with anyone except your parents.
- Teach your parents how you have fun online with tablets and phones.
