Your Child's Personal Safety

BBBSCT
Parent/Guardian Name 


Child's Name


Welcome to BBBS Training
Welcome to Your Child's Personal Safety! At Big Brothers Big Sisters, our number one priority is the safety of your child. This training is created especially for parents as they enroll their child in a local Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

In this training, we will talk about child sexual abuse. Because of the nature of this topic, there may be parts of this training you find upsetting. If this is the case, we encourage you to pay attention to how you feel, stop when you need to, and be sure to take care of yourself. You can easily pause this training, take a break, stand up and stretch, or reach out to our staff or someone you trust for support. It's important to remember that while sexual abuse is a difficult subject to talk about, the good news is that there are things you can do to help reduce the chances of it happening.

This training contains nine lessons and a section with additional resources. The lessons are meant to be taken in order. This means you will only be able to move on to the next lesson after completing the one before it.

This training should take about 1 hour to complete.

Big Brothers Big Sisters' Number One Priority

Big Brothers Big Sisters' Number One priority is the safety and well-being of your child. That's why we've created this program especially for parents as they enroll their child in a local Big Brothers Big Sisters program. It's important to remember that while sexual abuse is a difficult subject to talk about, the good news is that there are things you can do to help reduce the chances of it happening.

BBBS & National Center For Missing & Exploited Children

PARENT GUIDE & COURSE OVERVIEW


To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters National Safety Record and for an overview of this course click here.

READ MORE ABOUT OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY FIRST
BBBS

How to Navigate this Course

This course works much like a website. As you read the content on your screen, use your mouse to scroll down so that you can access additional content for each lesson. You will see content that includes videos, images, activities, and quizzes. For each of these, instructions on how to view the content will be given to you. You will not be able to move to the next lesson until you have completed all the activities for a lesson. Once you have completed each section of a lesson and reached the bottom of the page, you can move to the next lesson by clicking the Next Page button.

Lesson 1: Introduction

Course Expectations

When you finish this training, it is our expectation that you have a greater understanding of:

  • Why personal boundaries are important and how they help keep children safe
  • Facts about child sexual abuse, including how sexual abusers target their victims and how abuse affects children
  • Signs of sexual abuse you should look for in your child
  • What to do if you think your child may have been abused
  • Key rules to teach children and teens to help protect them from abuse
  • How to talk to your child about sexual abuse
  • Information about our policies and procedures that set rules for relationships between Bigs and Littles to increase child safety

Lesson 1 Complete

You have completed Lesson 1! Click the Next Page button to answer some questions about your knowledge of child sexual abuse.

Lesson 2: The Importance Of Personal Boundaries

Boundries
WATCH THE VIDEO
Watch the video to understand why children and teens need healthy boundary rules to keep them safe. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training.

(If viewing on a mobile phone, please hold the phone horizontally)
Boundary

A boundary is something that marks or separates one person’s or group’s space from another. 


Personal Boundaries

Personal boundaries are rules that people use to let others know what kind of things are OK and not OK to say or do to them, with them, or around them. Your personal boundaries help you decide things like how and when it’s okay for people to touch you, how close they get to you, or how they speak to you. When we have clear personal boundary rules and use them every time, we are more likely to feel safe.


Personal Boundary Violations

A personal boundary violation is when someone goes against a person’s rules about how they want to be treated. They can be physical, verbal or sexual.
  • Physical violations involve unwanted touch.
  • Verbal violations happen when someone says something that you think is wrong or inappropriate.  
  • Sexual boundary violations involve unwanted sexual touch or statements.

Correct
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Lesson 2 Complete

You have completed Lesson 2! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 3.

Lesson 3: What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Graphic

What is Consent?

Before watching the next video, let's talk about what we mean by consent. According to Safe and Secure Kids, "consent means giving someone a choice about touch or actions and respecting their answer." With your child, you may often use the phrase, "asking for permission." For more information on how to teach your child how to ask for consent and setting personal boundaries, visit the resources section of this training by clicking the link below.


Teaching Consent Resources

Watch the video below

Watch the video below to understand what is considered sexual abuse and who are potential abusers. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training.

Examples?
A look at the numbers

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Lesson 3 Complete

You have completed Lesson 3! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 4.

Lesson 4: What is Grooming?

L4

Watch the video below

 to understand the grooming process that abusers use to control their victims. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue.

Grooming Process

Grooming is how abusers control their victims and set them up to be abused. 


Correct, it's True because this process is used by abusers both online and in person, but the process is similar in both settings.
Incorrect

Let's Review how to spot grooming

by looking out for people who show “red flag” behaviors

Red Flags
Red Flag 1
Taking an unusual or special interest in your child. This may be when someone befriends your family but seems to be unusually focused on spending time with a particular child.

Red Flag 2
Being overly interested in helping you out or volunteering to watch your child.

Red Flag 3
Spending a lot of time alone with your child.

Red Flag 4
Giving your child presents or special privileges, such as rides to and from sports practice or game.

Red Flag 5
Being overly affectionate with your child.

Red Flag 6
Appearing to be "too good to be true" or do too much.
Red flag behaviors may be a sign that someone may be working toward abusing your child.

Correct
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Lesson 4 Complete

You have completed Lesson 4! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 5.

Lesson 5: Children Suffering from Sexual Abuse

L5

Watch the video below

 to hear from expert Julie Novak, Vice President of Youth Protection at Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, on why most children never report abuse. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training.  

WHEN CHILDREN DO TELL

When children do tell someone about their sexual abuse, it may be in small bits and over a long period of time. Many children find it hard to tell difficult secrets. They’re often afraid for themselves or others. Children may test adults to see if they can be counted on before telling about the abuse. These tests can include admitting to misbehavior or telling about a tiny part of the abuse to see the adult’s reactions. Children may be testing to see if the adult will still love them and protect them.


Children may also share parts of the abuse in a mixed-up order that makes no sense. Adults can become very confused by these tests and have a hard time understanding that the child is trying to tell them something. When this happens over a long period of time, adults may start to think the child is lying or making things up. As a result, parents may stop listening and the child may decide not to say anything else. They may also take back what they already shared because they are scared or think they will get in trouble. With this in mind, let's take a look at the next lesson to learn more about potential signs of child sexual abuse.


Correct, it's false because many sexual abuse incidents are unreported.
Incorrect

Lesson 5 Complete

You have completed Lesson 5! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 6.

Lesson 6: Signs of Abuse

L6

Watch the video below

 to understand what signs to look for when identifying sexual abuse in children and teens. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training. 


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Lesson 6 Complete

You have completed Lesson 6! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 7.

Lesson 7: How do Parents React?

L7

Watch the video below

 to learn about healthy ways to respond to your child if you learn they have been sexually abused. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training. 


Correct
Incorrect

Lesson 7 Complete

You have completed Lesson 7! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 8.

Lesson 8: How to Reduce the Risks of Sexual Abuse

L8

Watch the video below

to learn about the importance of healthy personal boundaries and good communication with your child. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training. 


Correct
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Lesson 8 Complete

You have completed Lesson 8! Use the menu to the left to return to any previous section or click the button below to continue to Lesson 9.

Lesson 9: Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Protection System

L9
Don’t let anyone tell you NOT to report suspected abuse to the authorities. If you’re not sure, report and let the authorities investigate.

Watch the video below

 to understand our comprehensive system to protect children and youth. Click the play button in the center of the video screen below to start the video. You can pause the video at any time by clicking the pause button at the bottom of the video player. After watching the video, scroll down to continue the training

The Youth Protection System

Screening
Big Brothers Big Sisters does extensive interviewing of our Bigs before they are allowed to be a part of our program. We conduct thorough criminal history record checks.  We ask for a number of references, including references from other people close to the Big and other youth-serving organizations. And in programs where a Big may transport a child, we check their driving record.

Match Support Specialists
Match Support Specialists are trained, professional staff that will work with you to answer questions and offer support for as long as your child remains matched. Your Match Support Specialist will regularly check in with you, your child, and their Big to see how things are going and to provide ongoing support to help your child’s match lead to the best outcomes possible for your child. This is a key strategy that Big Brothers Big Sisters uses to help keep children in the program safe.  It is extremely important that parents are having regular communication with their Match Support Specialist. You’re encouraged to call your Match Support Specialist any time you have a question or concern about your child’s match. We also encourage you to call your Match Support Specialist regarding safety concerns that may come up outside of the match relationship, such as bullying at school, illness, or depression.

Clear Rules & Training

All Bigs, parents and guardians, Littles and Big Brothers Big Sisters staff receive training on child safety and youth protection. Each local Big Brothers Big Sisters Agency also has policies surrounding:

  • Appropriate use of seat belts and car seats
  • Cell phone use while driving
  • The prohibition of Bigs using alcohol or other drugs when they’re with their Little
  • Little’s visiting their Big’s home and overnight visits
  • Notifying the agency of weapon ownership
  • Communication between Bigs and Littles through technology and social media

Reporting Abuse

If our staff or Bigs suspect or learn that a child may have been abused or is currently being abused, they are required by law and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America's Standards to report it. That means that we will immediately report any incident, allegation, or suspicion of child abuse involving a Big, staff member, family member - or anyone else - to police or child protection authorities.


We strongly encourage you to report any suspected abuse immediately, as well. Report directly to police or child protection authorities if your child tells you they have been abused or if you notice any signs of abuse. 


Report to us if your child’s Big violates any of our policies, or if you have any concerns about your child’s relationship with their Big. If you suspect or know of any abuse by your child’s Big, call the police or child protection authorities first. Then, tell your local Big Brothers Big Sisters staff so that they can immediately address the situation.


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Congratulations!

You have completed this training.

Knowledge Check

Lets test your knowledge to see what you've learned! Please complete the following questions below.
Knowledge Check

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Correct
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Correct
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Incorrect, because this is a very specific type of boundary. A verbal  personal boundary violation is saying something that is wrong or inappropriate

 

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Correct! Your Match Support Specialist will be in contact with you, your child and the Big to ensure child safety. It is very important to be in communication with your match support specialist at least once a month for the first year of the match.
Incorrect

We would like to hear from you!




Click NEXT PAGE for additional resources to help keep your child safe. 

Additional Resources

Additional Resources


Additional Resources

Before you go, please take a minute to review the additional resources below. Click on any of the links to download material or to be taken to another Website with additional information. Also, at the bottom of this page, tell us what you think about this training by completing the survey in the link provided. We are interested in your feedback on how this training has helped you learn more about this important topic.  If you have any questions, please email us at childsafety@bbbsa.org.

You Have a Right to Feel Safe Workbook

You have a right to feel safe workbook

This workbook is for children ages 5-11 and goes over important rules that can help keep your child safe in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and in life. It is filled with information, questions, and activities to help you talk with your child about child sexual abuse.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Healthy Teen Safety Book

Healthy Relationships for Teens Workbook

Healthy Relationships for Teens Workbook

This workbook is for youth ages 12-17 and goes over important information that can help your teen build healthy and safe relationships in Big Brothers Big Sisters programs and in life. It is filled with information, questions, and activities to help you talk with your teen about healthy relationships.

BBBS VIDEO SHORTS FOR PARENTS & YOUTH


BBBSA Video Shorts

BBBSA Video Shorts

The BBBSA Video Shorts are for volunteer Bigs, parents/guardians, and youth on a variety of topics that impact their daily life and relationships.

Kidsmartz: Parent Tips

Kidssmartz Parent Tips

Parent Tips

HERE you'll find helpful information about abduction, common tricks, and empowering messaging to share with your kids. Download the tip sheets and a going out checklist to role-play and practice safety. Use the fun, printable activities for kids to reinforce the 4 Rules of Personal Safety.

SafeSecureKidsdotORG

Safe and Secure Kids: Guide to Talking to Your Kids about Consent

This fact sheet introduces the idea of consent and how to talk about it with you child. It contains conversation starters and teachable moments. Click HERE to download this resource or view it below.

NCTSN

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Child Sexual Abuse Fact Sheet


This resource gives some quick information about child sexual abuse covered in this training. Click HERE to download the resource or view it below.

StopItNow


Stop it Now: "Do Children Sexually Abuse Other Children?"


This resource is from Stop it Now, an organization focused on preventing the sexual abuse of children. This guide is for everyone involved in bringing up children. It explains that some children do sexually abuse other children, describes how we can recognize the warning signs, and outlines some actions we adults can take to prevent sexual abuse. Click HERE to download this resource or view it below.

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