Teach your child:

        • His entire body is a “private part.” Conventional wisdom, which teaches children no one should touch their “bathing suit areas,” leaves out the mouth, a target for oral sexual abuse.

        • There's a right way to “play doctor.” Tell the child you will be the patient as long as he does nothing that makes you feel uncomfortable, specifying which areas are off-limits. If the child violates the rule, refuse to continue the game. The child can then model your behavior with other people.

        • Don't keep secrets. Tell your child that if anyone tells him not to tell his parents something, that is a big reason he should tell.

        • No one should make you touch someone else. Children should not be forced to give hugs or kisses to relatives or anyone else. They need to learn that they do not have to have physical contact on demand.

        • It's OK to talk about sexuality. Discuss sexual abuse cases and inappropriate behavior in entertainment and news. Ask the child what would he do if confronted with a situation that led to another child's victimization. Explain why certain behaviors, language and clothing styles are inappropriate.

        Source: No Directions on the Package: Questions and Answers for Parents with Children from Birth to Age 12 (Celestial Arts, 2000, $12.95) by Dr. Barbara Polland.

At work, blacks still sense limits
Cop wants manslaughter trial moved
Lost innocence: kid-on-kid sex crimes
Protecting children from sexual abuse
School geared to brightest children
City school reforms began with Buenger
Education summit for students, adults
GED students race deadline
How GED test has evolved
Politics abound at picnic
Luken addresses crime in TV spot
12-year-old rams car into house
Flower giveaway aims to promote good will
Log house defenders fight government
Man shot dead outside city motel
UC medical school adds Web application
Woodlawn requests analysis
Congrats
In the schools
Local Digest
Road-project foes press ballot drive
Democrat likely to take on Murgatroyd
Festivals part of Hispanic heritage month
Ft. Wright throwing birthday party
Artificial hearts compared
Kentucky Digest
Sewer system brings growth
Soldiers' families hope bodies can come home