1. Keeping Safe

2. Unwritten Rules We all have the right to feel safe all the time
We can talk with someone about anything, even if it feels awful or small

3. What makes us feel unsafe?
Ideas, suggestions

4. Recognising our feelings
We all have the right to Feel Safe
When we stop feeling safe our bodies prepare us for action with a rush of adrenalin and physical changes
These can be called :
our bodies Early Warning Signs
We all have the right to feel safe and this also means we have a responsibility to make sure that other people feel safe with us. Sometimes we don’t take notice of our early warning signs because of messages we get from other people, social media, etc (ask for suggestions). When we ignore our early warning signs this can lead us to make decisions that are not in our best interests and don’t support us in feeling safe.

5. How Your Body Feels Tight band around head Shaky all over
Starts to cry
Throat feels tight
Sweaty hands
Heart thumps
Goosebumps
Butterflies in Tummy
Ask what happens when you don’t feel safe
Above and any others
Need to go to the toilet
Wobbly knees
Feet stuck

6. Risk Taking and Adventure
We all take risks in order to do things that might seem scary and fun at the same time
Early warning signs will be the same
The difference is :
Choice did we choose to take the risk?
Control do we have control, can we say no?
Is there a time limit?
Healthy lives involve an element of risk taking and adventure. Sometimes when we do something fun/scary we take a risk but there is a difference even though we experience the same early warning signs. We have chosen to do something fun/scary and we know what the risks are and usually there is a time limit the safety continuum looks at whether we have choice or control or a time limit in a situation

7. What can we do?
These feelings can be scary and overwhelming but if we learn to recognise our Early Warning signs we can :
Stop
Think
Take Action

8. Support Networks
4 Adults we have regular contact with outside the home
Any Adult at home
Palm pals – pets, toys, diary, self-talk
SOS contacts – 999, Childline, etc

9. Other Networks
Friends Network - but remember sometimes talking with a friend is not enough to help us feel safe - an adult network would then be needed
Borrowed Networks – if you are having a sleepover for example you can borrow your friend’s network
Emergency Network – This would be if you were in trouble or lost, use your early warning signs to decide who feels the ‘safest’ stranger to approach
Talk about separate hand networks for each of the above. Friends can include siblings, cousins, school friends, emergency / instant network can be used when out and about

10. Keep at it!
Network Review – Do this regularly to make sure your network is working for you.
Persistence – Try, Try and Try again. Tell, Tell, Tell again until you feel safe again. If necessary use a borrowed network or emergency network.
Challenge yourself – feel the fear and do it anyway! Ride that rollercoaster!!

11. Healthy Relationships
Has anyone tried to kiss or hug you when you didn’t want them to?
Personal space – Invisible bubble, people should not come into the bubble unless e want them to!
Let’s try it!
Do you always have to kiss or hug someone? Even if it’s family? Discuss – why / why not? - Give polite friendly handshake, high 5 or blow a kiss. Invisible bubble, how do we let people know they can or cannot come into our bubble – verbal and non verbal communication, Roughly arms length away from us (demonstrate and practical exercise).

12. The Underwear Rule Private parts are PRIVATE
Always remember your body belongs to YOU
No means NO
Talk about secrets that upset you
Speak up someone can help
Where are your private parts? Anything covered by your underwear, breasts, also includes your mouth. You are the boss of your body. Talk about washing and drying your body, what age are you old enough to do this yourself? Even if a person is older than you don’t have to do what they want or say. Remember your early warning signs your body will tell you when something feels unsafe – you can and should say no to any kind of touch that makes you feel uncomfortable if something feels unsafe you can shout very loudly, get away quickly and tell a trusted adult (support networks)

13. Secrets Most secrets are safe but some can be unsafe Safe Secrets :
Unsafe Secrets :
I don’t have any Early Warning Signs (unsafe feelings) about keeping the secret.
I have Early Warning Signs about keeping the secret. For example, do I feel worried or anxious, headachy, shaky, sick, have tummy ache or can’t sleep properly, etc.
The secret is only supposed to be kept for a short time.
The secret is supposed to be kept for a long time.
Examples of Safe Secrets:
A surprise party
What to buy for a birthday present
Grandma says she is getting a new kitten
Examples of Unsafe Secrets:
Someone threatens to hurt your friend
You saw someone steal from a pocket in the changing room
Someone touched you and said you must never tell

14. Any Questions?
Feedback
Thank you!