Safe Self
My Body Belongs to ME!
People should ask to touch my body and I should ask to touch other people’s bodies! Can I fix your hair? Can I give you a hug? Want a high five? Let’s shake hands? Should I help you get dressed? Want me to freshen you up? Do you want me to rub your shoulders?
It is my body, so it is my choice!
It is my choice. I can say yes or no!
When I make a choice I am being a self-advocate!
Some of my parts are private! Those are the parts covered by a bathing suit!
My private parts are private! People who are helping me with my personal care or health can touch my private parts if I say it is OK. Someday I might have a special boyfriend or girlfriend and then I might decide it is OK for him or her to touch my private parts. No matter what, no one can touch my private parts unless I say it is OK!
Some touches feel good and some touches feel bad. Good Touch, Bad Touch Some touches feel good and some touches feel bad.
Good Touches Helping touches Hugs and Kisses you say yes to Getting dressed Help in the bathroom Help freshening up Doctors, Nurses and PCAs Hugs and Kisses you say yes to Shaking Hands High Fives
Bad Touches Hurting Touches Icky Touches Hitting Kicking Shaking Biting Squeezing too hard Scary touches Icky Touches Touching private parts Hugs, kisses and touching without asking Touches that just feel bad
Secrets Sometimes someone might tell me to keep a secret…
Good secrets are fun and feel nice to keep! A good secret might be a surprise party A good secret might be about a nice present for someone A good secret can even be about a silly joke It is OK to keep a good secret
I don’t have to keep any secret that feels bad! Any secret that does not feel good to keep is a bad secret! If the secret is about someone being hurt you should tell the secret! If it feels bad to keep the secret then you should tell!
What if some one tries to touch me in a bad way? I am allowed to say “NO!” I am allowed to try to stop the person I can hit I can kick I can scream I can bite I can pinch I am allowed to do what ever it takes to make them stop touching or hurting me!
What if I can’t stop them? It is not your fault if you can’t stop them. It is not your fault if you are too scared to try to stop them. No matter what, if some one else touches you or hurts you, it is their fault! The important thing now is to get to a safe place and to tell.
Who should I tell? Mom, dad, or other family member Teacher Therapist Counselor Doctor or Nurse
How do I tell? If you can talk you can use your words. If you can write or draw you can use a pencil and paper. If you point to pictures you can use your communication book. If you use a communication device you can find the right buttons to push. How else could you tell?
What if no one listens to me? If no one listens KEEP TELLING! Don’t stop TELLING until someone listens!
I know what to do to stay safe and get help when you need it!