The beginning of the school year is an exciting and emotional time for children and parents alike. While some kids cannot wait to go back to school, others hate returning to school because they have been targets of bullying or abuse at school. On the same hand, some parents are excited for their kids to return to school where others struggle with letting their children go back to school—knowing they won’t be with them to protect them.

Child Safety and Abuse Prevention Tips

Because bullying and child abuse are an unfortunate reality for many children as they return back to school in the Sarasota area, it can keep many parents up at night. For this reason, parents need to know how to keep their kids safe with using the following child safety and child abuse prevention tips:

  • Teach your children their full name, address, and phone number and let them know when it is okay and isn’t okay to share this information with someone else.
  • Tell your children it is okay to say “No” to anyone who bothers them or tries to touch a part of their body where their swimsuit covers them.
  • Do not place your children’s names on their backpacks or anywhere where a stranger would see their name.
  • Teach your children to never accept gifts, money, or rides from strangers.
  • Remind your children that adults shouldn’t ask them for help.
  • Teach your children from a very young age that it is never okay to allow another kid or adult to touch their private parts.
  • Tell your children to inform you when anyone—from a stranger to someone they know well—touches their privates or hurts their bodies.
  • Never make your children hug or kiss someone else, even a relative.
  • Let your children know it is okay for them to trust their instincts.
  • Listen to your children if they don’t like being around a certain babysitter or if they don’t want to go to a certain place anymore. It could be a red flag that something isn’t right.
  • Always supervise your children’s play dates and keep doors open.
  • Volunteer in your children’s school classrooms to see who your children are interacting with.
  • Participate or attend your children’s activities, hobbies, and sporting events and spend time with your kids.
  • Make sure you have open communication in your home and to let your children know they can always come to you if something is bothering them.

If you suspect your son or daughter is a victim of child abuse, you should request a free copy of our book, When the Unthinkable Happens: Your Guide to Florida Child Abuse Claims.

Damian Mallard, Esq.
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Board Certified Sarasota Personal Injury Attorney