Child Psych: Protecting Your Child From Sexual Abuse

There are a multitude of resources for parents on preventing child sexual abuse. Unfortunately, many focus on teaching children about "stranger danger" when in actuality, most abusers are known to children and their families. Many are family members themselves--parents, step-parents, older siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. Others are trusted adults who take care of children (daycare providers, babysitters) and those who work with children (teachers, coaches, youth ministers, and private music, dance or martial arts instructors).

Most parents assume that professionals who work with children pass background checks. Unfortunately, background checks only pick-up convicted sex offenders or those proven to be abusers by child protective services. Abusers who move from state to state may be missed. Religious institutions, sports leagues, and other private organizations often don't require background checks, and no one monitors private instructors.

Here are two general resources that I particularly like from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to help parents protect their children from sexual abuse and exploitation.