Stay alert to this problem and teach your children what sexual abuse is. Tell them they can and should say "no" or "stop" to adults who may threaten them sexually. Make sure they know that it's okay to tell you about any attempt to molest them--no matter who the offender may be. Let them know they can trust you and that you will not be angry with them if they tell you.

	See if your child's school has an abuse prevention program for teachers and children. If it doesn't, get one started.
	Talk to your child about sexual abuse. A good time to do this is when your child's school is sponsoring a sexual abuse program.
	Teach your child about the privacy of body parts.
	Listen when your child tries to tell you something, especially when it seems hard for her to talk about it.
	Give your child enough of your time so that the child will not seek attention from other adults.
	Know with whom your child is spending time. Be careful about letting your child spend time in out-of-the-way places with other adults or older children. Plan to visit your child's caregiver without notice.
	Tell someone in authority if you suspect that your child or some else's child is being abused.

Prevention measures to safeguard your children should begin early, since a number of child abuse cases involve preschoolers. The following guidelines offer age-appropriate topics to discuss with your children:

	18 months: Teach your child the proper names for body parts.
	3-5 years: Teach your child about private parts of the body and how to say no to sexual advances. Give straightforward answers about sex.
	5-8 years: Discuss safety away from home and the difference between good touch and bad touch. Encourage your child to talk about scary experiences.
	8-12 years: Stress personal safety. Start to discuss rules of sexual conduct that are accepted by the family.
	13-18 years: Stress personal safety. Discuss rape, date rape, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics online medical library at:
http://www.medem.com/MedLB/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZ7PP1YA7C&sub_cat=355