Child sexual abuse is perhaps one of the most heinous crimes imaginable.

As a result, people often avoid thinking or talking about it. But pushing such a serious problem under the rug might be doing more harm than good.

Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that approximately 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. So parents and concerned adults everywhere are wondering, "what can we do?"

This podcast will outline four conversations you could have with a child to help guard against sexual abuse:

1. No means no, and nobody is allowed to touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared.
2. Name the body parts.
3. Sometimes people we think are good guys, act like bad guys.
4. You can always talk to me, even if you feel embarrassed or scared.

In addition to having these active conversations with the kids in your life, you can help guard against child sexual abuse by keeping alert to the signs of abuse, which are listed in this podcast episode.

Call to Action:

Use the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's free downloadable resource to explain “The Underwear Rule.”

Check out StopItNow's Tip Sheet for signs of abuse.

Read RAINN's guidelines for how to talk to a child when you suspect abuse.

Before we can begin to address “how” to talk to kids about pornography, it’s important to understand “when” that conversation becomes relevant.

Many parents might assume that a few years after puberty is the time to have this talk. However, in today's digital culture, studies show that many children are being exposed to pornography before puberty.

“The talk” is no longer applicable in today’s world. Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of NCOSE and mother of two, shares how parents need to establish open dialogues in our homes about sexuality and media.

Dawn shares that the best time to start talking to your child about these issues is right now. She discusses how this conversation looks for young children and teens alike.

CALL TO ACTION:

Check out our Resource Center for parents: http://endsexualexploitation.org/resources-parents/

Read this blog with some conversational tips: http://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/why-vs-what-talking-to-kids-about-pornography/

Have a conversation with your kids this week about pornography and email public@ncose.com to tell us about it. We want to hear from you.