For Parents • Keep open communication with your children. • Know the people your children spend time with • Tell your children that it’s always wrong for adults to engage children in sexual activity. • Knowledge is power – teach your children about their bodies; the areas of the body covered by a bathing suit are private. Molesters admit that a child’s innocent curiosity and/or ignorance make that child easier to abuse. • Know where your child is at all times. • Never leave a child unattended in a car. • Get involved in your children’s activities – know the other adults. • Listen to your children – pay attention if they don’t want to be with someone. • Notice anyone who provides or gives special favors to your child. • Be sensitive to any changes in your child’s behavior…become an active listener. • Screen babysitters and caregivers. • Do not instruct children to “Give Uncle Jimmy a kiss” or “Give Aunt Susan a hug.” Allow children to express affection on their own terms. • Develop strong communication skills with your children. Explain the importance of reporting abuse to you or another trusted adult. • Make a strong effort to know your children’s friends and their families. • Do not rely entirely on the “buddy system.” While it may make children (and parents) feel safer, its effectiveness is questionable. In many instances, sisters, brothers and playmates have been raped, abducted and even murdered together. • Make a commitment to spend more time with your child; the lonely and attention-starved child is an easy target.     For You • Educate yourselves about the dangers of sexual assault by friends or acquaintances. • Trust your instincts – if any situation makes you feel uncomfortable, get out of it! • You have the right to set sexual limits. You may have different limits with different people and your limits might change. • Don’t talk yourself out of being alone with someone you know – or who’s a friend of a friend. Most sexual abusers are someone the victim knows. • Be wary of friends or dates who “test” your boundaries with unwanted physical advances.     Source: Center for Sex Offender Management Test your safety skills with these quizzes: http://www.missingkids.com