Parents should teach their children to respect their bodies in order to prevent sexual abuse. Sexual assault has a lifelong effect on a victim’s life and mentality. The crime not only destroys and diminishes a person’s personality, but also turning another perpetrator into a statistic. Teaching children how dangerous, cruel, and unapologetic this world and the people in it can be. Children should be aware of what could possible happen and ways to prevent these situations.

The discussion of the seriousness child sexual abuse is relatively new. Only about forty years ago did congress begin to get serious on the topic. “In 1974, the U.S. Congress passed the first national legislation providing minimal definition of child maltreatment. This definition includes the “physical and mental injury, sexual abuse, neglected treatment, or maltreatment of a child under age 18 by a person who is responsible of the child’s welfare under circumstances which indicate that the child’s health and welfare is harmed and threatened thereby”. This legislation is the Child Abuse Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA)” (Brotherson). Research and studies have been conducted through the years in order to begin to wonder what exactly is child sexual abuse, who are the abusers, and the occurrence rate. 

Prevention of sexual abuse and uncomfortable situations with future sexual partners all begin with a discussion between guardian and young woman about her body, mind, and soul in order to gain a strong respect for herself and an understanding that everyone deserves to be respected. Peggy Orenstein discusses the problems of young girls learning about their reproductive organs through sex education at school or through the internet when she explains how “Girls expressed a sense of shame around their genitals, a sense they were simultaneously icky and sacred” (Orenstein). Young girls should discuss their private areas and how they work with their mothers in order to not only become informed that each and every part of their body is important and special, but to create the bond between mother and child. These conversations may be uncomfortable; however, they are greatly necessary in order to have a society full of proud and informed young women. Kerryan Walsh, Karen Zwi, Susan Woolfeden, and Aron Shlonsky argue children should be taught about sexual abuse in school in order to prevent, or lower the rate at which children are sexually abused. They understand “Child sexual abuse is a significant global problem” (in text citation here). In order to prevent, or decrease the rate of occurrence of sexual abuse, a study was produced explaining how programs implemented in schools in order to teach children about sexual abuse “contact or non-contact” (Walsh, Kerryann, et al) will reduce the issue. Their study more specifically assessed “whether: programmes are effective in improving students’ protective behaviors and knowledge about sexual abuse prevention” (Walsh, Kerryann, et al). I believe children learning about sexual assault in school is not an ideal way for them to learn. Children should not be taught about sexual abuse in a public setting, because the discussion can be uncomfortable, scary, or intimidating for a particular child. Every child is different, only a parent truly knows and understands how their child will learn best, and if in fact the parent would like for their child to learn certain topics at a specific age. The parent should be the authority figure who first introduces the topic of potential sexual assault. Programs in schools are made in order to teach all students in the program collectively about sexual assault. Children should have an introduction to the topic at their own specific individual level and maturity. Parents should be the individuals to provide children with the support and individualized explanations of sexual abuse. School teachers don’t have the bond with one single child as a parent does, and shouldn’t be the first, or main source to provide information about sexual abuse. Parents teaching their children to protect themselves and to respect their own bodies is a crucial part to the development of a child. Parents have to protect their children from all the cruel people in this world who will commit horrendous acts and feel no remorse. An author Jane Sademan believes children shouldn’t be taught people will hurt them and to always be cautious. Jane Sandeman is arguing against “the message the NSPCC wants to promote…parents should talk to their children about abuse and how to stay safe” (Sandeman). The NSPCC came up with a campaign named “Underwear Rule”, which is “1) their body belongs to them; 2) they have a right to say no; and 3) they should always tell an adult if they are upset or worried. “(Sademan). Sademan believes this causes children to view all adults as having the potential of “being pedophiles”. Jane Sademan doesn’t believe the underwear rule will increase the rate at which children come to an adult, or their parents if they have been sexually abused. He truly believes “very few children will experience sexual abuse. Most children live in loving, caring homes and are able to enjoy the innocence of childhood” (Sademan). The only argument Jane makes in this article that is similar to my own argument is that children should tell their parent or trusted adult if they are in need of help. 

            Jane seems to only focus on the fact that children will be brainwashed into believing all adults are bad and will harm them in any way. He uses no logical or authoritative appeals to his audience. His argument is strictly based off of his own opinion, with no evidence to back to claim. He appeals to his audience, using a scare tactic. He fears moguls parents into believing if they teach their children the underwear rule, they will believe all adults are out to hurt them. His only attempt to bring logic into his argument, is when he makes the claim most children will not experience sexual abuse. This claim is not only false, but causes a mindset that just because all children aren’t sexually abused, discussing it with children is unnecessary. One in every four girls and one in every six boys will be sexually abused at one point in their life, and they are usually abused by someone the child knows. 
