PERSONAL SAFETY LESSONS

We all share a common goal for our children to be safe and protected from all things harmful.  Related to that goal, school counselors are required to present annual personal safety lessons designed to prevent sexual abuse. 

During February and March, our school counselors will offer sexual abuse prevention and safety lessons to all K-5 students. The plan for Gwinnett includes the key concepts taught at all grade levels; each grade reviews what was learned in the previous grade(s) and then learns additional lures or tricks.  

Specifics are provided below. Please contact a school counselor at 678-518-6966 with any further questions, or to schedule a time to review materials.

KEY CONCEPTS Taught at All Grade Levels

1. Using Our Built-In Computers-  We can program our “built-in computer” to recognize and avoid behaviors and situations that may threaten our personal safety.
2. People are Like the Weather-Like the weather, people’s behavior can suddenly turn scary or dangerous. We can take safety measures to protect ourselves from Bad Weather People.
3. Child Luring- Some Bad Weather People have their own kind of lures (child lures) to trick children into trusting them or going with them. Learning about Child Lures is like having a fire drill – we need to know what to do, just in case.
4. Laws Help Protect Me- Children have rights, too, including a right to live free of abuse. It is against the law for anyone to touch a child’s bathing suit zone or make the child touch theirs. Anyone, even a family member or a peer, can commit sexual crimes. Children should report abuse or attempted abuse to a trusted adult.
5. Listening to Our Instincts-Instincts are our inner sirens. They warn us when something is wrong and when we need to be careful. Recognizing, trusting, and following our instincts can help to keep us safe from unsafe behaviors and situations.
6. What is a “Stranger?”-Most strangers are kind and caring and can be counted on to help children. Strangers who lure children usually act friendly to trick kids into trusting them. We should be alert to behaviors that set off our inner sirens (instincts).
7. My Dignity- Each of us is unique, special, and worthy of respect. Abusing someone is the opposite of treating them with respect. Sexual abuse is never the child’s fault and can never take away a child’s dignity.
8. Understanding Threats-Some dangerous people use threats and weapons to intimidate children into doing as they say. Threats are rarely real and all threats are against the law.

 KINDERGARTEN

Key Concepts

• The Pet Lure- Children should never help look for a lost pet or accept an invitation to visit an animal without a parent or trusted adult.
• The Name Lure- Children should not automatically trust or go with individuals who know their names. Nametags should be placed on belongings where they are not easily seen.

 FIRST GRADE

Key Concepts and Lures Taught in Previous Grades Presented

3 New Lures Introduced

• The Fun & Games Lure-Children should never play games that involve restraints, even if it is supposedly part of a game, stunt, or magic trick. Children should report inappropriate touching to a trusted adult.
• The Affection Lure-Most of the time, children are slowly lured into sexual abuse by someone they know and they may not be aware of being lured. Sexual abuse is not real love, it is an act of fake love.
• The Assistance Lure-Children should never accept help, offer help, or go with anyone without first getting permission from parents. Stay 3 giant steps away from vehicles. 

SECOND GRADE

Key Concepts and Lures Taught in Previous Grades Presented

2 New Lures Introduced

• The Friendship Lure-Children should immediately leave places where adults and/or peers are behaving sexually or otherwise inappropriately.
• The Bribery Lure-Real gifts are given without asking for, or expecting, something in return. Gifts should never be kept secret from parents. 

THIRD GRADE

Key Concepts and Lures Taught in Previous Grades Presented

2 New Lures Introduced

Family Emergency Plan is presented and sent home

• The Emergency Lure-It is important to stay calm and think clearly during emergencies. Emergencies should be verified by calling or running home. Children should follow their Family Emergency Plan.
• The Authority Lure-Some dangerous people pretend to be police or other authority to trick children into doing what they say.  It’s OK for a child to disobey authority figures if they tell the to do something that is against the law or makes a child feel scared or in danger. 

FOURTH GRADE

Key Concepts and Lures Taught in Previous Grades Presented

3 New Lures Introduced

• The Job Lure-Children should always check with parents before agreeing to do any chore, job or errand – no matter how small. Parents should know everything about a child’s job: who, what, where, when.
• The Ego/Fame Lure-Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on all talent pursuits and parents must verify the credentials of talent agents. Suspicious “talent scouts” should be reported to the police.
• The Online Lure-Children should not keep online activities secret from parents and inappropriate or violent online messages should be reported to parents immediately. Children should never give out personal information online, should not send photos or videos of themselves to people they don’t know,and should never go alone to meet an online acquaintance.

 FIFTH GRADE

Key Concepts and Lures Taught in Previous Grades Presented

Online Parent Pact Presented and Sent Home

• Breaking the Silence Video is shown and discussed. This video features 4 children telling their own story. It explains the concepts of physical abuse and sexual abuse. 

You can also learn more about the detailed lesson plans and research behind this program at www.childluresprevention.com. Please be aware that more information is provided on the website than is used in Gwinnett County.