Protecting children from sexual abuse: a guide for parents and carers

Navigation menu list for sections above the current page: NSPCC Home; NSPCC inform

News and events: CASPAR News; Conferences and events; Sign up for email alerts; Conference reports; New on NSPCC inform; Help with our email alerts

Protecting children from sexual abuse

what is child sexual abuse?
what kind of people sexually abuse children?
how do people who sexually abuse children behave?
what is the risk from the internet and mobile phones?
how can I keep my child safe?
what about sexual exploration between children in the family?
what about bathing and touching my child?
how do I know if someone is likely to abuse my child?
how will I know if my child is being abused?
what should I do if I suspect or discover that someone has sexually abused my child?
how should I react if my child tells me that he or she has been sexually abused?
what should I do if I am sexually abusing a child or am worried about my feelings towards a child ?

This leaflet contains some sexually explicit information which parents or carers may feel is unsuitable for children to read.

It is important to remember that most children grow up without experiencing abuse.