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Protective Behaviours

“All children have the right to feel safe all of the

time!”

HCK: Supporting your children

Tonights Aims:

-To support ongoing work in class.

-To give information and supportive tips when talking to

your child.

-To support your children in developing their own

protective behaviour skills.

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Our Background:

Who are we?

Why are we talking to you tonight?

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The PB Process - Themes

The PB Process consists of two themes and five strategies (or steps) designed to encourage us to act on our feelings if we feel unsafe.

Theme One:We all have the right to feel safe all of the time…

and others have the right to feel safe with us.

Theme Two:

We can talk with someone we trust about anything, no matter how awful or small.

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The PB Process - Steps

Step One:Talk about feeling safe, adventurous and unsafe.

Step Two:Identify early warning signs.

Step Three:Encourage talk about feelings.

Step Four:Create a network.

Step Five:Persist until early warnings signs go away.

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The PB Process – Step One

As children, we learn to identify the difference between the excitement of adventure and the bitter taste of danger.

We agree that it is important to understand that as we grow older, the situations in which we become involved will change, but our right to feel safe will not.

There is a big difference between healthy excitement and being frightened more than we want to be.

Safe, Adventurous, Unsafe

Safe

Unsafe

Adventurous

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The PB Process – Step Two

How does it feel when we know we are safe vs. when we know we are in danger?

Our bodies don’t lie.

Because we are children, we are able to learn quickly to identify and trust our feelings. Paying attention to our EWS helps us to protect ourselves.

We need to identify and trust our feelings.

Early Warning Signs (EWS)

What our bodies say:What our bodies say:

“There are butterflies in my stomach!”

“My heart is beating so fast!”

“My knees are so wobbly!”

“My mouth is so dry!”

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The PB Process – Step Three- Talking

An important part of trusting our feelings means that it’s okay to share feelings.

Encouraging us to talk about our feelings helps us feel safe again- story books of everyday situations help support empathy for characters and help adults gain insight to children's minds and feelings- This can be eye opening!

Body Parts- recognising what belongs to you and accurately naming.

Whats Private?- be clear your body belongs to you. Bathers covers what’s private.

No body can put anything in your mouth, sand, an allergen etc Your mouth is a private part too!

Secrets V Surprises- the power of language.

Always trust your instincts

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The PB Process

As adults telling a child not to be scared doesn’t take the fear away just makes the child stop telling.

How often are children, especially boys told not to cry, to just get on with it?

Ignoring a child’s warning sign due to adult peer pressure.

Conversations that can close doors…

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The PB Process – Step Four

This is my Network – My “Helping Hand”

Ask yourself, “Are these

people I can trust?”

Mom, Dad,

Grandma

School Counselor

Uncle Joe

Piano Teacher

Mar

y’s M

om

we are encouraged to “share” feelings with adults – especially our Early Warning Signs.

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The PB Process – Step Five

Persistence

When we learn to ride a bicycle, we keep trying until we succeed – this is persistence.

Persist in talking to as many people in your network as it takes for you to feel safe again; until

your EWS go away.

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Where to start the talking???????

• I’m locked out at home

• I’m lost in store

• My ride doesn’t show up

• My friend’s shoplifting

• Family adults are fighting

• Someone bully’s me

• I’m approached by stranger

• False alarms

• I’m touched in way that feels

uncomfortable

• An adult needs emergency

help

How can I start the conversation process with my child?

Having a Plan

What if …

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The PB Process

Their telephone number

Their address

Their parent(s) work number

How to reach you or someone you trust

How to help equip your child…

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The PB Process

Take them seriously

Get professional help

What if My Child is Sexually Abused?

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The PB Process

Children are strong and smart and have the right to feel safe.

Children are strong and smart and have the right to feel safe.

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