Parent Safety Resources
Building Layers of Protection to Ensure Child Safety
We can all do our part to keep kids safe.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America work every day to create safe, inclusive and fun environments so all kids can have every opportunity to be successful in life. With over 5,400 locations, trained staff at all levels implement protective policies and procedures to keep kids safe after school and during the summer. Boys & Girls Clubs also teach youth critical thinking skills to make safe, healthy choices on their own.
Everyone has a part to play in keeping kids safe
That’s why we created a series of resources that help adults understand the different ways they can prevent abuse and support the youth in their lives.
Everyone can do their part to build safer communities.
We call this building layers of protection around youth by empowering the adults in their lives to talk about abuse, understand the signs of abuse and respond helpfully if a child should ever disclose abuse to them.
Below, you’ll find six videos that discuss creating different layers of protection around children, from watching for signs of abuse to finding safe after-school environments. Each video comes with two companion pieces: a printable information guide for parents and an activity for children.
We encourage all adults to explore these resources and find ways to integrate the lessons in their families and communities. Together, we can help all kids feel safe so they can learn, grow and thrive.
Starting the Conversation
This video teaches parents and caregivers how to start conversations with kids about boundaries, personal safety and abuse. It emphasizes the importance of building trust to ensure young people feel comfortable discussing these important topics.
Printable: Download scripts parents and guardians can use to talk to children about abuse.
Activity: Download coloring sheets that teach kids age-appropriate lessons about safety.
Resource: Learn more about preventing child abuse.
Signs of Child Abuse
This video offers practical tips for recognizing child abuse signs and symptoms. It also discusses different ways to foster open communication with youth. Watch to learn how you can help all kids feel safe and protected.
Printable: Download this resource to talk with kids about common characteristics of people who may not have a child’s best interests at heart.
Activity: Download a family safety plan template to fill out with your loved ones. You can use this template as the cornerstone of an effective safety system to ensure everyone in your family understands how to keep themselves safe.
Why Kids Don't Tell
Child abuse and neglect is a distressing reality for some families. It can be difficult for parents or caregivers to understand why their child didn’t come to them at the first sign of danger. This video explains some of the barriers children face when disclosing abuse and teaches adults how to build a trusting relationship with children in their care.
Printable: For a quick look at the contents in the video above, download this infographic.
Activity: Download this feelings chart to help children understand and work through complicated emotions.
Responding to Disclosures
If a child discloses abuse to you, it’s natural to feel distraught, angry or overwhelmed. In this video, learn how the best way to provide support is by staying calm, reassuring youth that you believe them and reporting the abuse to the proper authorities.
Printable: If a child tells you they’ve been abused, it’s important to believe them and stay calm. Download this resource with lists of helpful and unhelpful phrases for responding to disclosures of abuse.
Activity: Children need to feel safe and supported to feel comfortable discussing trauma. Download this series of conversation cards to help parents/caregivers and kids connect. These questions range from hilarious to heartfelt and encourage deeper conversations between caregivers and kids.
Resource: Learn more about understanding trauma and helping support your child.
Finding the Right After-School Environments
Whether children in your care see a babysitter, play a sport, participate in the arts or go to an after-school program, appropriate out-of-school care is crucial for protecting children. This video provides guidance on what to look for in potential caregivers, including questions to ask after-school care organizations about their abuse prevention training and tactics.
Printable: Download these printable checklists for interviewing potential babysitters, nannies and after-school care service providers.
Activity: Download this kid-friendly activity that guides children to create a story about their after-school adventures. Once they’ve filled in the blanks, check their answers to see how they feel about their after-school care.
Resource: Learn more about how to ensure your child’s after-school care environment is the right place for your child.
Resources and Support
Whether you need help understanding abuse, reporting suspected abuse or learning how to recover from abuse, watch this video to learn about resources that can provide key information and guidance, including:
Printable: Download a copy of these resources to print.
Activity: If a child in your care has experienced abuse, you may consider taking them to see a counselor or therapist. Download this resource for language you can use to help prepare children for what to expect if they visit a mental health professional.
Resource: Learn more about resources and support services for children and caregivers.
