Teach your children about the possibility that they may be touched sexually, and how to tell the difference between touching that is affectionate and touching that is sexual.
If possible, have girls and boys sleep separately, especially after age 10 or 11 years old.
Make sure your children know who they can talk to if something should happen to them.
Believe a child who says he or she feels uncomfortable around an adult or older child—no matter who that person is.
Sometimes sexual abuse of children continues for many years. A girl may be told that she will be harmed or even killed if she tells anyone about it.
Sources
Burns, A. A., Niemann, S., Lovich, R., Maxwell, J., & Shapiro, K. (2014). Where women have no doctor: A health guide for women. Hesperian Foundation.
