RULE 1: Tell an Adult

Abuse is something that many children live with but is often kept a secret. No one should ever touch you on a private part of your body or ask you to touch their private body parts. These are unsafe touches, and they are abuse.

Understanding unsafe touches isn’t easy. The truth is most abusers are most often friends or relatives, and abuse from trusted adults is very hard to talk about.

But, you have the power to stop it. Kids who have been abused might be scared or too embarrassed to talk about it. But, you can’t keep it a secret. It’s never your fault if someone touches you inappropriately. If you think you’ve been abused you need to tell an adult, like a teacher or another family member.

We also want you to remember that your body belongs to you. You have the power to say “No!” and get help if someone has hurt or touched you, no matter who it is.

If you have something you don’t feel comfortable talking about, then you need to talk about it.

RULE 2: Unsafe Touches

An unsafe touch is a touch to private body parts, a touch that hurts, or a touch that violates your personal space. No one should ever ask you to keep an inappropriate touch a secret. If they do, that is an unsafe touch.

• No one can ever touch parts of your body that would be covered by a bathing suit. This is your “private area.”
• No one can touch your personal belongings without your permission.
• You have the right to change your clothes in total privacy.
• People should never touch you in a way that hurts you.
• If someone gives you an unsafe touch, you should tell a safe adult immediately.

RULE 3: Smart Choices

Many dangerous situations can be avoided with a little precaution. You have the power to protect yourself by making good decisions when it comes to your personal safety.

• Don’t go places alone – go with friends or a trusted adult.
• Stay away from dark or deserted places.
• Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know or trust.
• If a stranger offers you gifts or a ride, say NO! Get away quickly, and tell an adult you trust.
• Never share personal information online.
• Never talk to or exchange pictures with people you don’t know in real life.
• Never agree to meet with anyone you have met only online without your parent’s permission.
• If you’re upset by a text message or photo, show it to a trusted adult.

RULE 4: Doesn’t Matter Who it Is

Unsafe touching is never okay, no matter who is doing it. It is wrong for anyone to touch a “private area” of your body, no matter who it is – even if it’s someone in your family, a family friend, or a teacher. If someone gives you an unsafe touch, no matter who it is, you should tell a safe grown-up.

You might be confused if the person who gives you an unsafe touch is:

• Someone you like
• Someone in your family
• A friend
• Someone you thought you could trust

No matter who it is, you must tell someone you trust. After you tell, you and the others will be protected.

RULE 5: Hitting is Wrong

No one should get hurt at home, and you can’t keep it to yourself if it happens. It doesn’t matter who it is. If someone hurts you, it has to stop. You need help.

Teachers and counselors at school are people you can talk to. It might feel good to tell someone. Things can get better after that. You can get help.

Remember abuse includes hitting, throwing things and verbal attacks. If someone in your home does this, it doesn’t matter who it is, you must tell. Talk to other adults, like teachers or counselors. They want to help. No one has the right to hurt you.

RULE 6: Tell Them to Stop

Bullies use their power to hurt or control others. They might make you feel unsafe in places you should feel protected. That’s not okay. Your school, sports teams and afterschool clubs have to be safe spaces for everyone.

No one ever has the right to hurt you or make you feel unsafe. Bullying is hard to stop, and that’s because most people’s first reaction to bullying is to ignore it. You may feel like it will go away but the problem with ignoring it is that it won’t stop, and it might even get worse.

If you’re being bullied there’s only one way to deal with it – Stop, walk away, and tell an adult.

Stop taking the abuse. Get yourself away from the situation, and go talk to an adult you trust. Tell them everything. Parents’, teachers’, counselors’, and coaches’ first priorities are your safety. There are adults who want to help you. If you tell an adult, the bullying is more likely to stop.