Child abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, and sexual. It happens at home, at school, and, yes, even at church. Although it’s more comfortable to ignore it or pretend it doesn’t exist than get it out in the open, in the case of abuse, ignorance is not bliss. Ignorance is danger.
Child predators say the easiest children to victimize are those who know nothing about the realities of abuse. So what should kids know, and when should they learn it? How do you educate children about potential dangers without scaring them or giving information that’s too explicit?
Safekeeping: Session Plans for Developing Abuse Awareness in Kids, a new two-session curriculum from Faith Alive Christian Resources, helps church education leaders comfortably and effectively talk with kids about this important but difficult topic. Safekeeping teaches children how to identify abusive behavior, how to protect themselves, and where to turn for help if they are a victim of abuse. But it starts by steeping kids in the knowledge that God made each of them special, God wants them to be safe, and God wants us to treat each other with love.
Authors Hennie Helleman and Patricia Vos provide two sessions for each of four age groups: kindergarten/first grade, second/third grade, fourth/fifth grade, and sixth-eighth grade.
About the Author
Sandy Swartzentruber serves as the resource coordinator for Faith Formation Ministries and is a member of Sherman Street CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich.
