This unique resource comprises a therapeutic workbook and storybook, designed to be used as an early intervention with children within the school setting who display concerning sexual behaviour. The workbook contains a series of activities with accompanying user-friendly advice including how to broach difficult subjects, how to engage with children who have additional needs and how to create conditions of safety to enable the necessary conversations and activities to happen. The programme of work culminates in the creation of a unique and dynamic Safety Plan which is developed collaboratively with the child (as the expert) together with key adults in their lives. The Safety Plan is designed to meet the needs of the child and gives attention to their cultural context and specific likes/interests; this ultimately keeps them and other children safe from further incidents or allegations of sexually concerning behavior. The accompanying storybook, 'Billy and the Tingles' employs narrative therapy, telling the story of a child with sexually concerning behaviour and addressing contemporary issues of exposure to pornography. Laura Walker is a Senior Practitioner in a specialist service working with young people aged 7-17 years old who have displayed sexually concerning/harmful behavior. Laura has been a qualified Social Worker for 15 years with a background in child protection, fostering and sexual abuse work. Laura is currently studying for a Masters in Trauma Studies specialising in the relationship between trauma and sexually concerning behaviour in children. Carol Laugharneis a Practitioner in a specialist service working with young people aged 7-17 years old who have displayed sexually concerning/harmful behavior. Carol is a qualified Youth Worker with 20 years background in a number of settings with children and young people aged 4 - 19 years including Youth Work, Children's Rights, Drug and Alcohol Services, sexual exploitation and children of drug and alcohol using parents.

This book is a step-by-step guide on how to protect children from sexual abuse through Body Safety Education. It contains practical and age-appropriate ideas and information on how abusers groom and signs a child is being sexually abused.

When a child under 12 engages in sexual behaviours, many parents wonder if this is a cause for concern, or natural and healthy. The author, a clinical psychologist, uses her expertise on child abuse and child sexuality to answer questions and to provide guidelines to help parents understand which behaviours are problematic and which are a normal part of exploration and play.

There has been considerable research and authorship on child sexual abuse, however, much of this research has focused on adult perpetrators and child victims. Less attention has been paid to children’s harmful sexual behaviour and the multitude of influences. Harmful Sexual Behaviour in Young Children and Pre-Teens provides evidence-based understanding on: typical sexual development versus harmful sexual behaviour; the prevalence and impacts associated with harmful sexual behaviour; Australian laws, policies and educator responsibilities; responses and support systems for children who display harmful sexual behaviour; and the implications and challenges for future practice. This book provides understandings that directly respond to the recent Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommendation 10.1 to address (a) primary prevention strategies to educate family, community members, carers, and professionals about preventing harmful sexual behaviours (b) secondary prevention strategies to ensure early intervention when harmful sexual behaviours are developing and (c) tertiary intervention strategies to address harmful sexual behaviours.. The authors present a review of psychological, sociological, legal, and educational research to inform and support professionals involved in the wellbeing and education of children to understand, manage, and reduce dysfunctional sexual development in children.

Every parent wants to protect their child from harm, but is there a way to prepare young children to be safe from sexual abuse without frightening them or damaging their innocence? Detective Diane Obbema, a 30-year veteran of law enforcement, offers critical choices that parents can make to fortify the protective boundaries around their children in her new book, Protecting Innocence.According to statistics, 93% of child victims know their molester, with most never telling anyone about their victimization. Understanding that children are most vulnerable to sexual assault between the ages of 7 and 13, Detective Obbema draws from her specialized training and investigation of hundreds of child sexual assault cases to give parents the skills they need to navigate this sensitive topic with their children before they reach this vulnerable age group and are approached by a molester.This book will help you ...* Make critical choices for protective boundaries around your child. * Be comfortable in parent-child conversations about private parts. * Teach respect for their bodies and to expect respect from others.* Ease your child's fears and build stronger confidence.* Recognize red flags indicating inappropriate interest in your child. * Understand a child's heart and mind when pressured by someone. * Build a trust that encourages your child to confide in you.* Learn 10 ways to be a more approachable parent.Detective Obbema also gives parents insight on how molesters operate by providing glimpses of what transpires in the interrogation room. By using illustrations from her real-life cases, she makes a powerful impression on parents to help them understand what happens inside a child's heart and mind when pressured by an offender. Parents learn where children are vulnerable to molesters and practical steps to thwart potential exploitation. Parents learn the power they have to foster respect for the human body within the home, and what negative influences they will need to confront.Protecting Innocence offers actual scripts for parent-child conversations to help parents feel comfortable in addressing topics many of them avoid. These dialogs teach the child proper names for intimate parts, what touches are okay and not okay, how to be assertive in uncomfortable situations, how to recognize and respond to internal feelings that warn of danger, and understanding good vs. bad secrets. These conversations help build a foundation of trust and openness between parent and child. This greater security gives a child confidence to talk with his or her parent any time... about anything.