One on one contact with your child

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/art-teacher-sex-assault-1.6004012

Here are my take-aways from this story

The child most likely had body-safety education and a safety-network of trusted adults established in her life that made it possible for her to disclose. Win!

It would be interesting to know how long the family knew this teacher. I’m guessing that the teacher was able to develop a trusting enough relationship that it had the parents leave their child with him alone in his home.

As much as it is terrible to read a nine-year-old had the experience of being sexually assaulted, it’s a blessing she had the courage to speak up so she need not suffer in silence and isolation into her adulthood. Though she experienced this trauma, speaking up means she can start her path to healing.

It’s important that this survivor receives appropriate therapy to recover. Treatment and support need to encompass the survivor and her caregivers.

Take precautions whenever you leave your child with another adult or youth. Use deterrent tools such as Rosalia' Rivera’s Consent Letters and/or Feather Berkower’s Conversation-Starter Card - Building Your Prevention Team. You can find them on the Resource page.

These tools will clearly show others that you and your child are both educated on body-safety education and the prevalence of child sexual abuse. By sharing these tools and starting the conversation, you can reduce the risk of an incident occurring.