Talking to your child about abuse may feel intimidating, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have. The good news? It doesn’t have to be scary. With the right tools, you can empower your child, build their confidence, and teach them how to stay safe.
In a reposted episode of the Child Life On Call Podcast, host Katie Taylor sits down with her mother, Jane Donovan, a longtime child abuse prevention advocate and educator. Jane has spent decades working with Children’s Advocacy Centers and creating resources that help families and schools start age-appropriate conversations about personal safety and abuse prevention.
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, or healthcare provider, this blog will walk you through key takeaways from the episode and offer tangible tips for teaching kids about boundaries, abuse prevention, and speaking up.
Why You Should Talk to Your Kids About Child Abuse—Early and Often
One of the most common misconceptions is that kids are too young to understand concepts like abuse or personal boundaries. But according to Jane Donovan, it’s never too early to start the conversation.
“It doesn’t have to be the talk,” she explains. “It’s a fluid conversation that happens over time.”
Teaching kids about body safety early helps normalize the language around private parts, consent, and boundary-setting—topics that are essential for preventing abuse.
Tools That Make These Conversations Easier
Jane’s years of experience led her to develop the Kids Count Players, a puppet-based education program that teaches children about body safety in a fun and friendly way. With characters like Peanut, Butter, and Officer Doright, the show has reached over 175,000 children and is still making an impact today.
Here are a few simple, kid-friendly tools she recommends using at home or in classrooms:
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🟢 Hula Hoops: A great visual for teaching personal space. Kids stand inside and learn that no one should enter their “bubble” without permission.
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🟡 “Uh-oh” Feelings: Teaching kids to trust their gut. If a situation gives them that “uh-oh” feeling in their tummy, they should tell a trusted adult.
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🟠 Real Body Part Names: Avoid nicknames. Teaching anatomically correct terms empowers children and aids in reporting if something happens.
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🔵 Confusing vs. Good Touch: Use the phrase “confusing touch” instead of “bad touch” to help kids better express how they feel without shame.
Questions Every Parent Should Ask Youth-Serving Organizations
Before sending your child to camp, sports, church groups, or even music lessons, Jane recommends asking these key safety questions:
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Do you run background checks on all staff and volunteers?
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What abuse prevention training do they receive?
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How do you handle reports or disclosures of abuse?
Your Role as a Parent or Caregiver
Above all, your presence and openness matter most. Make safety part of your everyday routine—whether that’s talking about privacy in the bathroom, body parts during bath time, or modeling healthy boundaries with friends and family.
Jane leaves parents with this empowering reminder:
“It’s not a child’s job to protect themselves. It’s our job to protect them—and give them the tools to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.”
Listen to the Full Episode
🎧 Listen to: How to Talk to Kids About Child Abuse (Repost)
📺 [Watch the Kids Count Players on YouTube]
📲 Follow Child Life On Call on Instagram: @childlifeoncall
