Is stranger danger still a concern? Where to put our focus when it comes to child protection

As educators, we play a vital role in the education and intervention of child abuse.

So, should we still be talking about stranger danger? Or should we be focusing more on people within their family and social groups?

Instead of choosing one over the other, I believe the best practice should focus more on empowering children in ALL situations with ALL types of people.

Recent research shows that abusers are not only adults, but can also be same aged peers, older children, or teenagers. Abuse can happen at home, at a friend’s house, at school or at the park. In order to protect children from being targets of abuse in any situation and from all different types of people (strangers, known adults, or even other children).

It is most vital that we empower them with information on:
1.     Body awareness and autonomy
2.     How to say No

Body awareness and autonomy

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation recommends that body awareness conversations and activities should include information on understanding emotions, recognising body clues, and knowing the different body parts.
When children can name and understand their feelings, it can give them the emotional vocabulary needed to talk appropriately about them. This then leads on to recognising the physical clues their body gives them when feeling uncomfortable or frightened around certain people.

Children can connect their emotions with their physical wellbeing by understanding that the following body clues tell us we are scared, nervous or uncomfortable:

• Funny feeling in the tummy
• Wobbly knees
• Sweaty palms
• Crying
• Heart pounding
• Hair standing on end

To ensure children have autonomy over their own bodies, we need to explicitly teach:

• Anatomical names for body parts
• The difference between public and private body parts
• Their body belongs to them, and they are the only person in charge of it

 It’s Ok to say NO

When we insist that it is more important for children to be polite to adults rather than letting them have autonomy over their own bodies, we are exposing children to higher risk of potential abuse. A child who knows they are in control of their own body is less likely to experience abuse. They are also more likely to tell a trusted adult if some form of abuse has taken place. Children, however, who feel like they don’t have the power to say no, become more susceptible to being manipulated and abused by predators.

Some adults tell children it is rude and disrespectful to say no, so it’s no surprise that they can find it difficult and scary. When it comes to their bodies, children need to know that it’s perfectly ok to say no to hugs, kisses, touching or any invasion of personal space.

We can support children by:

• Role modelling giving and receiving consent
• Providing different alternatives of showing affection if they prefer e.g., fist bumps, high fives, waving, smiling, virtual hugging, or no affection at all
• Recognising boundaries around personal space
• Scaffolding conversations between children on personal space and affection
• Respecting children’s right to say no
• Affirming and supporting children when they say no and explaining why it’s not being rude or disrespectful
• Supporting them to say no firmly with voice control and body language if another child or adult is not listening
• Teaching them the difference between appropriate and inappropriate times to say no
• Educating families so the message is also being taught in the home 

 
We can follow up with conversations and activities that support them by:

• Identifying safe people who can help them

• Discussing the differences between a surprise and a secret

• Emphasising that trustworthy adults don’t seek help from children with their problems or ask children to keep secrets

Further reading and resources: 

Only For Me by Michelle Derig

A Secret Safe to Tell by Naomi Hunter - the author reads her story on YouTube

I can say No by Jenny Simmons
 
Daniel Morcombe Foundation - Kids Safe Resources

Watch this lovely video showing how children in a Thai early education centre choose how to greet their educator

Child protection training with CELA

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