https://www.worththeconversation.com/riskfactors daily 0.75 2021-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610502593376-83SXVWDN6DSWSOW8XIIC/girls+hugging.png Prevalence & Risk Factors - Despite the increased awareness in our culture, sexual abuse remains a very difficult topic to discuss. We want to believe it only happens to other people or in other places. But abuse knows no boundaries and is present in every demographic and socioeconomic class. https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog daily 0.75 2021-06-08 https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/books monthly 0.5 2021-06-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623177871200-0W8UE6VOFXJ8FM33NC2G/books.png Blog & Podcasts - Books! - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/advocate-like-a-mother-podcast monthly 0.5 2021-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1621470147133-00C05LY0Q9HU9PENV9RY/Screen+Shot+2021-05-19+at+5.18.18+PM.png Blog & Podcasts - Advocate Like a Mother Podcast - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/bookreview1 monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/familyapp monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610838124365-TTYFXIFJS7V0KQ7OPR8P/family+app+image.png Blog & Podcasts - Interview with FamilyApp https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/familyapp-hcjp2 monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610737900763-D1QDA5GHGMDYAPZZ7BRF/An+Exceptional+Children%27s+Guide+to+Touch.jpg Blog & Podcasts - Teaching Social and Physical Boundaries https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/toddlerhood monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610827510718-YX012ZBXAOHJUWYRB85A/toddlerhood-blog-image.png Blog & Podcasts - Abuse prevention begins in toddlerhood. https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/luckyfewpodcast monthly 0.5 2021-01-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610830092896-YKUGGG5LTKM81LWUFKCW/luckyfewpodcast-blog-image+%281%29.png Blog & Podcasts - <a href="https://worththeconversation.com/2019/09/16/a-conversation-about-sexual-abuse-in-the-down-syndrome-community-with-the-lucky-few-podcast/">A Conversation with The Lucky Few Podcast</a> https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/abusers monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/bodyboundaries monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610828062885-OU2O08IULXQVB0I65EBN/sayno-blog-image.png Blog & Podcasts - Teaching Body Boundaries: It’s ok to say NO https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/bodyawareness monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610828355113-0R9K34NGAT4NFUEB56VO/image-asset.png Blog & Podcasts - Body Awareness: A Simple First Step https://www.worththeconversation.com/blog/primaryprevention monthly 0.5 2021-01-16 https://www.worththeconversation.com/home daily 1.0 2022-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/62219b49-c0d8-4dbb-8dc5-c33345cae946/activity+kit+front+page+.png Home - Make it stand out. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610594239599-J5SVKFF83Z833WH08EM2/1.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610594263403-E7PW0DWFS0I614VIVHUQ/2.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610594287654-MYUSICQDMSI4MX9IL91W/3.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610492065451-SGLNVZT7PIYQR70CL3LI/girl+in+pink+glasses.png Home - Children with developmental disabilities are three times more likely to be sexually abused. We can change this! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610836708645-T6PMIAKD3VU7WP18V700/Screen+Shot+2021-01-16+at+2.37.51+PM.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1612232531569-GFL9Q1FUG9Z77LQB1VSC/featured+in+image.png Home https://www.worththeconversation.com/preventionstrategies daily 0.75 2021-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567962614-OWVOMRBIXWGZJALCNYXB/1.png Prevention Strategies Children with developmental disabilities often have little agency over what happens to their bodies. Reduce vulnerability and encourage body ownership by using proper names for private parts. Reinforce the concept of privacy by explaining that private areas are covered by underwear or a swimsuit. Always let your child know who will be helping them with their bathroom needs when you are not present. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567962627-UY6G19P60QE4QABR821Z/2.png Prevention Strategies The foundations we set in early childhood will help our children establish healthy relationships later in life! Help your child understand they can make choices about personal boundaries by never forcing your child to give or receive physical affection. Reinforce age-appropriate personal space, such as sitting next to peers and not on an adult's lap. Ask others to respect your child’s boundaries by offering a high five or fist bump instead of a hug or kiss. And don’t forget to require your child respect others' personal space as well! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567963495-KHJ2GRXB1CHA1IZDGJGK/3.png Prevention Strategies Find out what protocols are in place to keep children safe within your school, childcare, faith community and extra-curricular activities. Are the staff aware of these policies and do they follow the safety protocols? How are suspicions of abuse reported? Include safety & diapering/toileting expectations in your child's IEP. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567962708-UC79UF07K3XAQDH2TL1M/4.png Prevention Strategies Minimize one-on-one situations. Ask therapists and teachers to keep the door open during sessions. Monitor your child’s time with older children and student mentors. Drop by unannounced. You have the right to know how your child is spending his/her time and the adults working with your child should be happy to share what your child is learning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567963199-WCLLE0SBLEIDU2CVY0SJ/5.png Prevention Strategies Secrets are never necessary and can be hurtful. Perpetrators of sexual abuse often isolate and manipulate children by asking them to keep secrets. Establish a family culture of open communication and use surprises instead of secrets when looking forward to sharing a gift or special treat. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567962729-78ZP4AK8I3R6YOMJK6SB/6.png Prevention Strategies Abusers are incredibly manipulative individuals who understand they must earn the trust of a child’s family and community in order to successfully hide sexual abuse. Grooming is the process by which a perpetrator slowly desensitizes a child and his/her caregivers. This is accomplished by showing favor and gaining trust over time, which enables the abuser to get the child into isolated situations where abuse can occur. If you suspect grooming behaviors, trust your gut and speak up! It’s important the person violating boundaries understands that you are willing to remove your child from the situation if you feel uncomfortable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610567963258-VLOHVOBTODT3IXK8XV40/7.png Prevention Strategies Many of the adults in your child’s life have never considered the increased vulnerability of a child with developmental disabilities. Provide education on sexual abuse prevention. Increasing awareness goes a long way in expanding the number of alert caregivers and helpers who may detect an unsafe situation and feel empowered to speak up! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610568480235-3ARFWOCDEYNN3QQKO8O2/boy+with+train+blog+banner.png Prevention Strategies - 7 Strategies to Prevent Sexual Abuse https://www.worththeconversation.com/resources daily 0.75 2025-10-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610833270609-PLFKTLSUL0PATR2FDED3/OVC_SM_ENG2.jpg Resources RAINN: The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610833898417-H8SBSITXOOMCBM9I9R5Q/Screen+Shot+2021-01-16+at+1.32.57+PM.png Resources NPR Special Series: Abused and Betrayed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610834253582-UL9XI86I0YOMXN64L2BW/books.png Resources Here are some of our favorite books! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610834091570-TLC99CY4DDBQUJD3MFL9/Online+Safety+Resources+for+All+Ages.png Resources Find helpful links and download the printable “My Rules for Internet Safety” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610833614799-EXKY14FO3PG19JG9LI76/Screen+Shot+2021-01-16+at+1.46.43+PM.png Resources Resources to help adults protect children from sexual abuse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623176339897-5CG2VEKXGACRJQMT489Q/sexuality+for+all+abilities.png Resources - Make it stand out Looking for resources for teens and adults? Check out Sexuality for All Abilities https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610833773918-NKI6Q16L0MT80XHJGCRM/eye-for-ebony-415494-unsplash-1024x768.jpg Resources The MAMA BEAR EFFECT: Parenting as a Survivor https://www.worththeconversation.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-01-17 https://www.worththeconversation.com/about daily 0.75 2021-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610858188808-RZ1481B0YERMOXREKKD4/Untitled%2Bdesign.jpg About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1612232129265-F2Y77GJXHGPR34JXEKY8/featured+in+image.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1612232161548-6A9XZGRSUWR55DYFXD6Y/D2L+Image.png About https://www.worththeconversation.com/partner-portal daily 0.75 2021-01-18 https://www.worththeconversation.com/internetsafety daily 0.75 2021-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1611455003389-TL2WLII9J5A2B4OUJCMX/THORN+image.png Internet Safety THORN: Keeping your kids safe online in the age of Covid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1611457481702-12TP2E5Q4WCOIEM196FY/Screen+Shot+2021-01-23+at+7.00.29+PM.png Internet Safety Common Sense Media: Reviews on Apps, TV, Movies & More! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1611457718665-BXO6F3229CXNFHXNFQ0N/image.img.jpg Internet Safety NetSmartz is an online safety education program that provides age-appropriate videos and activities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1631998042100-6TBUEN0SGOX1047IN3MO/Get+a+free+downloable+PDF%21.png Internet Safety https://www.worththeconversation.com/books daily 0.75 2022-09-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130264016-CB5UZTGETNQ2PBJ339K1/Teaching+Children+with+DS+about+Their+Bodies.jpg Books Find all of Terri’s books here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/33226bb6-b3d7-40ee-a60f-49bb0e46f73e/JS+cover.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130393207-7A9B34RW7M5P1BNP547D/Amazing+You.jpg Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130509828-TA51R15H5VAJQIOVZC23/Who+Has+What%3F.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130301978-0OTB6VUEOTF43CZ8WBO8/Exceptional+Children%27s+Guide.jpg Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/ac452b5b-ec02-4e5a-99e0-3f8c4e61bfea/click+image+to+purchase.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130427661-M7YB4GGM663R8HKWPQIQ/Body+Safety+Education.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130688134-HXVTV0U4BXXUPBOENMZ0/God+Made+All+of+Me.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130330000-S1VHVTP1DWQYQWD0MN51/Your+Body+Belongs+to+You.png Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130449160-AZG2U7WHU744ATU7BE24/My+Body+Belongs+to+Me.png Books - Make it stand out En español https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1623130537267-I7N2ARURAJ3B2K3Q4XVT/My+Body+What+I+Say+Goes.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/2271dc21-65a7-41ec-aa27-dd954d483465/image-asset.png Books - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.worththeconversation.com/donate daily 0.75 2021-08-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1629584276122-MIYEJROO8UDR3024S6YT/WTC+school+bus+photo.png Donate - Help protect children by donating to Worth the Conversation today! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1629584739577-THYLBLHO8BFBZD0T8NUC/WTC+swing+photo.png Donate https://www.worththeconversation.com/shop daily 0.75 2021-09-17 https://www.worththeconversation.com/shop/p/body-safety-activity-kit monthly 0.5 2026-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1651537012994-MINGCLRIST8RCQM0J6BR/3+copy+2.png Shop - Body Safety Activity Kit https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1651537023270-84DO8E4MPX2I315PXTKZ/4+copy.png Shop - Body Safety Activity Kit https://www.worththeconversation.com/definingabuse daily 0.75 2021-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ffe1e5f54aeee12a6249087/1610840506566-Q3SRKUVUEE4WP1TVZU2H/fanily%2Bwalking%2Bpic.jpg Defining Abuse What is Child Sexual Abuse?