Keeping Kids Safe During the Holidays!

The holidays are a joyous time for adults and kids alike. During the holidays, when visitors abound, schedules get hectic, and parents are often overwhelmed, all types of child abuse increase. So now is the perfect time to take a moment, slow down, and read on to learn how to better protect the children in your life.

Stopping Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse increases during the holidays when kids are often left with babysitters, there are guests staying in the home, and parents are often distracted. Here are some tips to better protect your child from sexual abuse:

1.     Talk to your child. Discuss boundaries with your child. Teach them that their body belongs to them and no one has a right to touch their body or take pictures of them without permission. Let them know it’s okay to say no to unwanted hugs, kisses, or other affection. Tell them to talk to you or another Trusted Adult if anyone breaks their body safety rules. The key is on-going, open communication about safety and abuse.

2.     Limit alone time. 80% of sexual abuse occurs in one-on-one situations. If you limit the opportunity, you will better protect your child. If you do need to leave your child alone with someone, let the person with them know you may pop in to check on them. Keeping those times “observable and interruptible” is the safer way to manage alone time. This goes for alone time with other youth as well, since 30% of all child sexual abuse is perpetrated by other youth.

3.     Be alert. Often adults see signs of abuse, but may disregard the signs because the possible perpetrator is someone they know and trust. The sad fact is, that is exactly who we need to be watching. 90% of sexual abuse occurs by someone the child knows and trusts. No one is exempt, not even the closest, most beloved family member.

Preventing Physical Abuse

The holidays often come with increased stress, when time commitments and financial demands impact everyone. However, for some families, this may lead to an increased risk of physical abuse. Here are some tips to help you keep your cool during this stress-filled season:

1.     Take a break. When you feel yourself on the verge of losing it with your child, take a break or a time-out. Send your child to their room or out to play, and you take some time to de-stress and calm down.

2.     Reach out. Call a friend and ask for support. We are often reluctant to ask others for help, but in a stress-filled situation, asking for help is not a sign of weakness, instead it shows how much you love your child. Self-care makes you a better parent.  If you need support beyond friends, reach out to a mental health counselor.

3.     Be a support. Watch for signs of increased stress or possible abuse in those around you. If you see the signs, reach out and tell them you understand, you want to help, and ask how you can help lighten their load.

If you suspect abuse, please call the Indiana Department of Child Services at 1-800-800-5556.  Everyone in the state of Indiana is a mandatory reporter.

The holidays are about peace, love, and joy and we want everyone to experience all three this season, including children. From our entire team at the Indiana Center for Prevention of Youth Abuse and Suicide, we wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy 2022!