You Are in Charge of Your Body

Gr 2–5—It's clear from the headlines that we need to arm our children with information about sexual abuse so they can recognize dangerous situations and react appropriately. This program does the job nicely. It is divided into three segments. In the first, sexual abuse is clearly defined, as are the body boundaries children should protect. Swimsuit areas are the focus, and cartoon pictures show a naked boy and girl, front and back, with their private parts clearly labelled using correct terms. Sexual abuse is defined as anything that may violate those body boundaries in yourself or someone else (such as the abuser showing those areas of the body). The emotional responses a child might feel in such situations—fear, embarrassment, shock, etc.—are explored. Part 2 tells viewers what to do in dangerous situations, focusing on saying "NO!" and leaving quickly. Being assertive is emphasized. The final segment urges children to tell a trusted person about the abuse and keep repeating it until action is taken. Three vignettes showing situations that might be sexual abuse are acted out. To minimize trauma, the performers clearly state that they are acting and are always fully clothed. These vignettes extend through all three segments—setting up the situation, showing how the child could handle it, and demonstrating how to tell an adult. All three focus on people the child already knows. The material presented is frequently reviewed. Children will find this informative and empowering. It is also a valuable resource for school counselors and parents.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA