Safe Choices Program Overview
Child Abuse Prevention
Kindergarten and First Grade
Discussion on being safe and making safe choices centers on 3 key concepts:
1. No Touch Zones
a. God made each of us unique and special.
b. Show a boy and girl with bathing suits on their bodies - private areas are covered by
the bathing suits.
2. Don’t Keep Secrets from Mom or Dad
a. Never keep secrets from your mom or dad.
b. Even if an adult tells you if you don’t keep the secret you will get in trouble, be sure
to tell your parents. It is not your fault and you will not get in trouble.
c. Make a rule and tell the person, “I don’t keep secrets from my mom or dad. I tell
them everything.”
3. Follow this Plan of Action
a. Yell, “NO!” or “STOP!”
b. Run to a trusted adult.
c. Tell the trusted adult.
*The object is not to scare the children, but to give them knowledge so they can make safe choices.
Second and Third Grades
Discussion on personal safety of your body centers on 5 key concepts:
1. Boundaries
a. There are “no touch” zones or private areas on the body.
b. Show a boy and girl with bathing suits on their bodies – private areas are covered by
the bathing suits.
c. Mom or dad may see your private parts when you change clothes or take a bath and
this is okay. A doctor or a nurse may see your private parts if you need medicine
there and this is okay.
e. Appropriate or good touches – kisses and hugs from those who love us
f. Inappropriate or bad touches – touching of private areas
g. Know your boundaries – keep your body safe.
2. Follow a Plan of Action
a. Yell, “NO!” or “STOP!”
b. Run to a trusted adult.
c. Tell a trusted adult what happened.
3. Don’t Keep Secrets from your Mom or Dad.
a. Tell your mom or dad if someone touches you in a way that makes you
uncomfortable.
b. If you are told your parents will get mad if you tell them, tell your parents anyway.
c. Tell the person, “I don’t keep secrets from my mom or dad. I tell them everything.”
d. Tell your parents or a trusted adult because it is never your fault if someone touches you in the private part of your body.
4. Be Alert.
a. Be self-confident and believe you can help protect yourself.
b. Know your boundaries for your body.
5. Make Safe Choices.
a. Know and follow your plan of action.
b. Remember not to keep secrets from your parents.
* The object is not to scare the children, but to teach them how to keep their bodies safe
and how to make safe choices for themselves.
Fourth Grade
All children have the right to be safe. Discussion of keeping bodies safe centers around the following concepts:
1. Boundaries
a. Everyone has “personal space” and lines that no one should cross with us.
b. Our “no touch" zones or private parts are the parts of the body covered by a bathing
suit.
c. Don’t let anyone cross your body boundaries.
d. Tell a trusted adult if someone crosses your boundaries.
e. It is not your fault if someone tries to cross your body boundaries.
f. Follow the plan if someone crosses your body boundaries:
1. Yell, “NO!” or “STOP!”
2. Run to a trusted adult.
3. Tell the trusted adult what happened even if the person told you to keep it a
secret.
2. Keep Your Body Safe
a. If anyone tries to touch you in your private areas or asks you to touch them,
follow your plan of action as outlined above.
b. Take action (as outlined above).
3. Internet Safety
a. Never give personal information on the Internet – name/address/telephone
number/picture.
b. Don’t contact a person or agree to meet a person you met on the Internet.
f. Do not visit chat rooms and talk on-line to strangers.
4. Make Safe Choices
a. Be alert and don’t talk to, follow or go with strangers.
b. Do not accept gifts from strangers.
c. Be self-confident and know your surroundings.
d. Check out situations with your parents to make sure they are safe. Always get
your parents’ permission before going places or doing things.
e. Follow the Buddy System – don’t go places on your own.
*The object is not to scare children, but to make them feel confident because they know what to do to make safe choices and keep their bodies safe.
Fifth and Sixth Grade
Discuss personal body safety and how to make safe choices for themselves.
1. Respect your body and keep it safe.
a. Be alert to your body boundaries and be able to distinguish between appropriate and
inappropriate touches. (4th grade info. reviewed)
b. Be aware there are sick people in the world who abuse children with inappropriate
touching or requests to touch them inappropriately.
c. Keep your body safe. (4th grade info. reviewed)
1. Use the STOP method:
S – Say NO!
T – Tell
O – Our
P – Parents
2. Challenge any situation that makes you uncomfortable.
3. Use the Buddy System when going places.
2. Identify lures used to attract you and gain trust.
a. Gifts can be given to gain trust.
b. The Internet can be used as a lure – be safety conscious.
1. requests for personal information such as name, address, phone no. and picture
2. requests to meet you
3. requests to call you
4. pop up messages with inappropriate messages
5. chat rooms with strangers
6. Discuss Instant Messaging and respect for boundaries.
3. Knowledge is power, so use it to protect yourself!
*Object is not to frighten students but to give the tools to use if they should ever find themselves in a situation in which they need them. It is good to be prepared.
Seventh and Eighth Grades
Discuss safe choices as it relates to our bodies and personal safety.
1. You have a right to be safe and feel safe.
a. Respect the boundaries for your body.
b. Child Abuse is the name for any inappropriate offensive, harmful or sexual
behavior.
c. Abusers (also known as pedophiles) can be male, female, young, old, friend,
neighbor, relative, coach, stranger, etc.
2. Be respectful of boundaries for self and others.
a. Child abusers often use lures to gain the trust and friendship of a child.
b. Discuss common lures.
1. items that are attractive to teenagers
2. Internet (review 5th and 6th grade info.)
3. Be assertive about your own safety.
a. You are your own first line of defense in your own self protection.
b. There is no requirement to be polite when refusing inappropriate behavior.
c. Keep no secrets from your parents or trusted adults.
d. Never give out personal information – name, address, phone no., e-mail address
e. Use the Buddy System when going places.
f. Notify parents of all of your plans.
g. Listen to your “internal voice” when something is not right and trust that God is
with you always.
*The object is not to frighten students, but make them aware of child abuse and how they can protect themselves.