As part of our ongoing effort to prevent crime in the community, members of the San Carlos Police Department have developed a series of educational presentations. These presentations are made to service clubs, schools and community groups in San Carlos. To expand the usefulness of this material, we are now bringing this material to the Internet. We hope you find helpful and of interest.
--Greg Rothaus, Police Chief, City of San Carlos

Teach Your Child

1. Talk to your child on a daily basis and listen to what they are saying.
2. Teach your child about good and bad touches.
3. Teach your child names for the different parts of their body.
4. Teach them that no one is to touch their private areas or do anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
5. Without scaring your child, tell them that some adults might try to touch them in an inappropriate manner, even adults they might know.
6. Tell them that they should not keep secrets from their parents, even if someone has threatened to harm them or their parents.

Watch for Behavioral Indicators and Changes

1. Bedwetting
2. Significant change in school performance
3. Sexually transmitted diseases
4. Fears and phobias
5. Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person
6. Excessive masturbation
7. Acting more infantile
8. Bleeding or discharge from rectum or vagina
9. Sore or swollen genital areas
10. Stained underpants
11. Pain on urination
12. Age inappropriate knowledge of sexual matters
13. Running away
14. Self destructive behavior

These signs are not in and of themselves, conclusive evidence that your child was sexually abused. They must be looked at in conjunction with other behaviors and factors.