Secrets 

The Most Important Thing to Teach Children about Secrets is that SECRETS ABOUT TOUCHING ARE NEVER OK! 

 Sexual Abusers Count on a Child's Silence!!! (Learn more)

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• A surprise is fun and happy, and is ALWAYS shared when the time is right. 

Use these examples:  surprise parties and gifts.

• Secrets can be unsafe and cause fear and worry. 

For example, a child gets a cut from a broken glass but keeps it a secret to avoid getting in trouble for breaking the glass.   A grown-up needs to know so the injury can be cared for. 

• The intent of a secret is to hide the truth indefinitely.   

The babysitter or older sibling has her boyfriend over while you aren't home and asks a young child to keep it a secret to avoid possible consequences.   

Sexual Abusers want to hide the truth FOREVER!      

It is important to set a good example about secrets.  Don't ask your child to keep a secret, even if it seems harmless.  This could be confusing in other situations and put your child in danger.

While older children and adults can understand that a secret is not necessarily "bad", younger children need a clear definition to help them understand when to tell a grown up about a secret.