Safety tips for protecting kids from abuse or molestation

Supervise, Supervise, Supervise. If you run a school, church, youth center or any other place where kids spend time, make sure the area is properly supervised whenever children are present. Dark areas should be lit, overgrown foliage should be cut back. Bad things usually don't happen when responsible adults are watching.
Inquire about past events involving alleged misconduct at the school, day care center, church or other location.
Ask specific questions about what background checks and employment screening and selection criteria have been used to select individuals who are given access to children.
Remind the adults in charge that they are being relied upon to be responsible and to adequately supervise children including those who might themselves have a propensity to harm others.
Ask hypothetical “how” and “what if “ questions, e.g., how do you investigate alleged misconduct? what if a person has a history of improper conduct toward children? How will the institution protect children from such an individual?
Make frequent, unannounced visits to check on how the facility is operated.
Adults should be aware that children are programmed not to talk about molestation—children tend to keep abuse secret. This is especially true when they’ve been victimized by a trusted adult. So be on the lookout for any changes in a child’s behavior, mood or habits. A sudden change in your child should prompt questions.
Network frequently with other adults. Sharing information with others will increase your awareness of what’s happening at school, on the team, at church, wherever.
Trust your gut. If things appear to be inappropriate or dangerous, they probably are. Look into the situation further.
Be aware of potential danger signs — adults spending too much time, or money, on kids, especially outside of school or other activities. Adults giving gifts to children. Adults making phone calls to kids, after the school day, practice or the designated activity is over, and, as discussed above, sudden mood or behavior changes exhibited by the child.
Be alert to the history of a suspected assailant. If an individual has a history of misconduct, steps should be taken to protect against repeat behavior. Any individual with a criminal history of sexual or violent misconduct should be barred from working with children—period.
Be aware of a school, church, youth organization, day care center, or any other entity’s process for hiring individuals to supervise children. Do they screen and audit applications? Do they conduct background checks? Do they contact past employers to determine work history?
Use the internet to search for registered sex offenders. Visit our “Help Resources” page for a list of helpful websites to protect children.
Demand a written, posted policy on how the facility handles reports of misconduct.
Put your concerns or complaints in writing and keep copies of what you send; written requests or complaints are usually taken more seriously than verbal ones.
Demand the firing, revocation or expulsion of offenders. Get law enforcement, social services, or potentially even the media involved if you’re not being taken seriously.
Most abuse situations occur in one-adult/one-child settings. If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you’ll lower the risk of sexual abuse for children. Choose group situations when possible
Talk openly with children. Good communication may decrease a child’s vulnerability to sexual abuse and increase the likelihood that the child will tell you if abuse has occurred. Teach children about their bodies, about what abuse is, and, when appropriate, about sex. Teach them words that will help them discuss sex comfortably with you. Teach kids not to give out their personal information including their email address, home address or phone numbers. Monitor their internet use.