Friday, March 18, 2011

Every home should have this.

In Australia today 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 5-6 boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are 25.  Overwhelming the perpetrator will be known to the victim in some way. It won't be a stranger. Many of us grew up being terrified of these " strangers" who were going to offer us lollies and drag us into a car. Yes, it happens but VERY rarely. ( A lot more rarely than the media would have us believe)

In my other job, I am involved in a school program  dispelling myths about sexual assault and domestic violence with Year 10 highschool students ( about 15-16 years old) Myths like if a girl is wearing a short skirt and or is really drunk she is asking for it, are addressed  in a way that allows young people to discuss  who they really think is at fault when someone is sexually assaulted.  Who is responsible?

Possibly the best resource for kids I have ever come across is this book. Everyone's Got a Bottom , Written by Tess Rowley and Illustrated by Jodi Edwards. ( Sally posted about it a while ago and reminded me how good it is) I have not been asked to review it nor am I giving any away I just think it is a great book.





It is hard to talk about this stuff with the smalls without completely freaking them out ( like in your head you might be thinking if anyone touches you just tell mummy so she can  kill them). This book allows you to introduce the topic with the little ones and would be a good way of reinforcing the issues with older ones. It is recommended for 3-8 year olds.  Busy at 4, loves it. The first time I read it to her she wanted it read over and over and over and she still asks it to be read to her all the time.




It is teaching children about keeping their bodies safe. Starting out with looking after your body, washing it, how girls and boys have differant "parts".  It uses the correct words and has some illustrations that are very child friendly.  It repeats the mantra on every page "From my head to my toes I say what goes". It talks about privacy and what is ok and what it not ok. "Maybe someone you know and like might want to show you their private parts" etc ... it talks about being able to tell Mum and Dad everything.


I cannot recommend this book more highly- I really honeslty think, EVERY child should read this book. It talks about a serious and scary topic in a very matter of fact way, with very clear and concrete messages for the smalls.  Maybe you could ask your local library to buy it? I bet they would.

If you need to talk to someone about Sexual Assault here are some resources.
You can buy the book online from Family Planning Queensland but google it and you may find it some where closer to home.
* sorry about my very average photos of the book.

                           

26 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing. I think I saw this book mentioned on Sunrise (or something similar) a little while back and thought what a fantastic book. It is just so important to educate and teach our children how to protect themselves as you cannot wrap them in cotton wool, sad but true. I am off to purchase this for sure for to read to the lads. Melinda x

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  2. I'm buying this today. Thanks Cath.

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  3. Thanks for that Cath - always good to find a good book touching these subjects.

    I will go and buy it as well.

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  4. Thanks so much Cath! I just had the stranger talk with my boys last week & was so tricky, the 6yr old would say, but what if we know the person, then it's ok isn't it, God it was hard going trying not to freak them out & make them fearful of everyone we know as well as strangers. I'm going to get that book. x

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  5. That looks like a great book and having to young daughters, being a youth worker/social worker, but also someone who values community and operating out of love for other people rather than fear i find all of this soooo tricky!!!

    I will check this book out and thanks for the suggestion..... this is a very tricky subject with kids!!!

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  6. just bought it at Huggies.com.au

    Thanks for reminding me. I looked for it when Sally brought it up, but couldn't find it.

    I just wish that there was no need for it, but that's not the world we live in.

    xx A

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  7. just bought it at Huggies.com.au

    Thanks for reminding me. I looked for it when Sally brought it up, but couldn't find it.

    I just wish that there was no need for it, but that's not the world we live in.

    xx A

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  8. Im definitely getting this for the grandkids as soon as im at the shops next. Thanks x

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  9. this looks like the most wonderful and well done book thanks for sharing it with us Cath. xo

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  10. Thanks for sharing that Cath... I'm already worrying about how to teach my daughter about these things and she's only six months old... so I will definitely be looking out for this book!

    Oh and I'm picking up a copy of 'The Divided Heart' from the library today... another great book recommendation, can't wait to read it.

    Janine x

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  11. What a terrific resource book! That's definately going on my list. Oh it's just so horrible that we have to deal with these things with our little ones and bigger ones *sigh*

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  12. Ruby loves it as well - as a 2 year old, so I think it can resonate with little kids as well. SO glad you are bringing awareness to this too!

    (Rubes likes to sleep with her favourite books, and this one is always in bed with her)

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  13. I followed your link here from Etsy's forum. Glad I did. Never heard of this book. I also don't have children. But I can see how it would be a very helpful resource for parents. Thanks for sharing...Come visit my blog any time too! :-)

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  14. Will be emailing the library this weekend - thank you!

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  15. I'm going to get this book for sure. What a great way to tackle such an important topic!

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  16. Thanks! You have reminded me both to pick up the book, and to reconnect with Tess Rowley, who is a fantastic and talented woman I met when my baby was actually a baby, and fell out of contact with around a year ago. This looks like a great resource.

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  17. This looks fab - I am definitely going to get a copy. Thanks for the recommendation. x

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  18. Thank you so much for sharing this. As a mother of 3 this is a topic I have thought about (without being too paranoid). A must book indeed.
    alex

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  19. Hi Cath, so pleased to have found your blog and for this to have been the first post I've read here. Thanks for sharing this amazing verse, will be getting myself a copy straight away!

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  20. What a great way to introduce a topic that is very difficult to talk about with young children. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. Fantastic post! Nice to see someone dispelling the myth of "Stranger" danger!
    As some one who wasn't safe at home, I get mad everytime my mother in law harping on and on about stranger danger. I've taught my kids from very young to tell no matter who it is that makes them uncomfertable!

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  22. This is one of the favourite books at our place too! And you've got to love a book that includes images of cats licking their bottoms!!

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  23. this all sounds awesome, maybe you'd like to put a link in my book club thingy?

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  24. This is exactly what I have been looking for, to discuss with my Little Miss 4. I have put a hold on it at our local library, thanks for sharing :)

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what a nice person you are- taking the time to comment in this busy hectic world...Thank you!!