Educating Teachers

Partnering with Teachers

Teachers often become designated safe adults for kids and are trusted to meet kids with belief and support around sensitive issues. We want to equip and support teachers in this responsibility of being a child’s safe person. We invite teachers to utilize the CAC as a resource around child abuse prevention, problematic sexualized behaviors that may present in a classroom, and mandated reporting.

Child Abuse Prevention in Schools

Kids Have Rights (KHR) accomplishes its mission by partnering and working collaboratively with area elementary schools to present body safety lessons during the school day that are engaging, child-centered, and age-appropriate. The program's goal is for children to learn that they have the right to feel safe from harm and the right to tell and be believed when talking about unsafe touches. Children also identify safe adults who they could go to for help and support.

How Does KHR Work?

The KHR curriculum is based on the latest research and informed by the expertise of the program educators, CAC’s therapists, forensic interviewers, law enforcement, and others.

KHR educators present a 30-60 minute lesson (dependent upon grade level) which is reinforced by subsequent mini-lessons taught by the classroom teacher.

Supplemental materials are sent home so that parents and caregivers may work with their child to reinforce lessons and increase their knowledge and comfort in talking to their child about body safety. Parents and caregivers are taught the warning signs of child sexual abuse and how to listen and respond appropriately to their child.

When a child knows that they have adults in their lives who will listen to them, who will believe them, and who will help them, they are more willing to tell their story free of hesitation or fear.

What Teachers say about Kids Have Rights

  • “I think this is SUCH an important topic for kids to be aware of and educated on. My kids loved the lessons and always had lots of questions. I feel like it had such a great impact and felt like my students were able to share thoughts and ask questions, even though I thought they would not at first!”

    — Second Grade Teacher

  • “My students are very sure that they can come talk to me when they have problems. It builds an awareness that they need to identify the safe adults in their lives.”

    — First Grade Teacher

  • “The lesson provided was great. It was clear and age-appropriate. The instructor in my classroom was comfortable and at ease, which made my students very comfortable with what might have been uncomfortable content.”

    — Second Grade Teacher

Additional Prevention Resources

Here at the Children’s Advocacy Center, we acknowledge, honor, and promote the role of parents in talking with their children about sensitive topics such as child sexual abuse. Parents are critical to successful prevention and intervention. We encourage you to talk often with your kids about body safety and boundaries! We have some great resources to help guide your conversations.