CornerHouse Caregiver Guide

This is a guide to help caregivers when talking with children who may have been at risk for sexual abuse. Please read this Guide in its entirety before talking with your child.

Teach

• Teach your child it is not okay for someone to touch your child's privates parts.
• Teach your child that it is good to tell someone if he/she is touched on his/her private parts.
• Help your child identify people he/she could tell: a parent, teacher, trusted neighbor or police officer. Tell your child that it is good to tell, and give your child permission to tell an adult if he/she has been touched.

Listen

• Stay calm and neutral when talking to your child.
• Pay close attention to your words and actions. Show interest in what your child says. Do not react with shock, horror, or indifference.
• Don't ever offer names of possible offenders or possible acts of abuse.
• Ask calmly, “Has someone touched you in a way that isn’t okay with you?” If your child does not seem to understand, you may need to ask, “Has someone touched your private parts?”
• Listen to the information, but don't ask for all the details.
• Don't video-tape or audio-tape your conversation with your child.

Support

• Don't repeatedly question your child.
• Allow your child to tell in his/her own way and in his/her own time.
• Let your child know that you believe what he/she is telling you.
• Don't ask why your child didn't tell sooner.
• Tell your child that it is not his/her fault and that he/she is not in trouble.
• If you are concerned your child has possibly been sexually abused, call the police or child protection.

These guidelines are provided with support from the Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning.