Safe Child Program

The Safe Child Program is a comprehensive safety training program which utilizes a uniquely effective combination of videotape, classroom role-playing and parental participation to enable children to prevent sexual, emotional and physical abuse; and to prevent abuse and abduction by strangers. The focus of the Safe Child Program is to teach children how to protect themselves from potential abuse without creating fear or anxiety.

The basic principles of the program are developed from the point of view that children can make judgments, they can speak up for themselves and they can take responsibility for their own well-being. The skills children need to protect themselves develop gradually between the ages of two to six. This has been shown to be the optimum age to begin abuse training.

Children are taught safety skills that empower them to act upon their instinctual feelings. Through repetition, role plays and booster sessions children gain the knowledge and skills they need.

This program has been taught in Grades JK to 3 in various schools and in day cares throughout Huron County.  Training for teachers in the use of the program is provided by the Huron County Child Abuse Prevention Committee who is also available to facilitate parent meetings, and to provide follow up lessons in the classrooms to supplement program lessons. Follow up lessons address: How to difficult it is to tell; what Happens when you tell; and abuse by peers.