Child Safety Training is a mandatory program offered by Big Sisters as a part of the national standard requirements. The program must be completed by all Little Sisters and their parent/guardian as part of the intake process. Little Sisters who have experienced abuse themselves are exempt from this requirement.
Sessions are 2 hours in length and are held on Saturday afternoons. A light snack is provided.
The purpose of the program is to discuss abuse and its prevention. Neglect, physical abuse, verbal/psychological abuse, and sexual abuse are covered. Time is spent with the girls discussing the expression of feelings, personal rights to safety, what to do in an abusive situation and the understanding that abuse is never the child's fault. Scenarios are used to apply the information and include a situation where an uncle engages in inappropriate touching.
Parents discuss:
-the importance of self esteem and its role in keeping children safe
-types of abuse and indicators
-how to handle a disclosure of abuse
-why children don't tell
-communication between parent and child
At the end of the session, the child and their parent/guardian are reunited and given an opportunity to talk openly about the topics presented. Parents and their children are encouraged to create a safety plan together.