As stories in the media remind us, child sexual abuse is widespread. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by age 18. Eighty-five per cent of child sexual abuse victims know their sexual abusers. Conversations with your child are so important. My husband and I recently took the opportunity to talk to our daughter about appropriate vs. inappropriate touching. I know this conversation is a really hard one for some people. Former Australian police officer Kate Power, along with her husband Rod Power have written a book aimed at children that assists parents with this not always easy topic. The book is titled “My Underpants RULE.”
Written in a matter in which young children will understand, the authors use rhyming language to engage with children and capture their attention.The book focuses on teaching children the golden underpants rule: “What’s under my pants belongs only to me.
The book is geared to children aged 4-8, but can be a teaching tool as early as age 2 and 3. The underpants rule is repeated and explained throughout the colorful, picture book to help empower young children. The book then gives a number of scenarios for kids to consider and answer. The book goes further to explain what is appropriate and inappropriate touching and explains what to do in difficult situations.
While preventing child sexual abuse is not as easy as reading a book to your kids, we find the book is an excellent tool in helping parents teach their children about the Underpants Rule. It can be used to aid further discussion about appropriate vs. inappropriate touching.
I would defiantly recommend it to all parents to use a starting point in talking to their children. I also want to add that it is important to tell your children that their body belongs to them and it is OK to say no to any form of touch that makes them feel uncomfortable- that includes giving relatives a kiss or hug. A CNN article entitled I Don’t Own My Child’s Body explores this topic further.
If you would like to pick up your own copy of “My Underpants RULE!” it can be ordered via Amazon.com & Amazon.ca. For more information, visit the My Underpants RULE! website at www.myunderpantsrule.com
Watch Rod and Kate Power talk about their new book.
Thanks for the introduction to this book,I have to say it’s one we need in our library!