Talk to your child about keeping safe. Encourage them to tell you straightaway if they feel uncomfortable or have worries about an adult's behaviour, whether during sports activities or in any other situations.
Tell your child that he or she always has the right to say 'No' if an adult is trying to persuade them to do something they feel is wrong, or which makes them feel uncomfortable or frightened.
Be a good listener. Children often feel very anxious and embarrassed about speaking out about abuse or bullying. So listen very carefully and take what your child says seriously.
Make sure your child understands about sex and about their body. Talking about this may feel a little difficult at first, but it can play an important part in protecting your child from abuse. For example, your child needs to understand about the private parts of the body in order to recognise what is acceptable touching by an adult and what is not.
Decide together on an 'emergency plan' for your child to follow in situations when they may be at risk of harm. Make sure he or she understand what they should do. If they are going to an 'away' event, encourage them to spend their free time there with a friend or another participant.
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