1. Prevention education – prevention of child abuse, domestic violence and neglect.
The materials aim to:
promote self esteem;
have students realise that there are ways of avoiding unsafe situations; and
encourage confidence and empowerment.

2. Prevention education – prevention of child abuse, domestic violence and neglect.
Educational response to taskforce report in late 80’s.
Available free to all schools in early 90’s.
Linked to health education – K + A/V + S approach
Materials for students in primary -years 1,4,7 and secondary -years 8,9 &10.

3. Why are children vulnerable to sexual abuse?
Children are powerless
Uninformed children trust all adults
Young children are incapable of assessing adults’ motives
Children are taught to obey adults
Children are naturally curious about their bodies
May have limited information about their own sexuality
Briggs, F. & Hawkins, R. (1997). Child protection. Allen Unwin: Sydney.

4. What is taught in prevention education?
self esteem
personal protective strategies
rights of children
feelings about touch
No Go Tell
support networks
safe and unsafe touching
managing problems non-violently

5. GOOD NEWS - Child abuse is on the decline
Education and awareness - “the genie is out of the bottle” – children are more knowing and less easily frightened.
Perpetrators are “more aware of their personal security” and the likelihood of being caught.
Greater awareness of support networks.
The media “are on the alert to publicise any scandals”.
But … “abuse will still occur and the vulnerable will still be a target.”
Porter, M. (2003) Sex, power and the clergy. Grant Books: Melbourne.

6. ‘I’ve got to go now.’ Toni Childs
Why do you do it?
Why do you treat us so bad?
When you’ve got two kids that love you
And a wife that’s missing you bad.
I’ve got to go now
I’ve got to say good bye
Don’t try to stop us now
And please don’t you cry.