Three playful (and free) booklets to raise awareness of sexual violence for children

It’s never too early to raise awareness of sexual violence among children. But how do you approach the subject when you are a parent? Recent studies and works commissioned by the government help to understand that this violence is systemic and threatens all children. While waiting for concrete measures to be implemented, private actors are already sharing concrete resources to support families. This is the case of the famous publishing house bayard which offers clear and amusing prevention booklets, intended for children aged 3 to 18 years.

Leaflets to raise awareness of sexual violence among young people

To raise young people’s awareness of sexual violence and provide them with crucial information, as well as good habits, Bayard has created three brochures developing themes adapted to the age group concerned:

• The booklet for 3-7 year olds focuses on the relationship with the body, intimacy, consent and the importance of reporting any behavior that bothers them or seems strange to them. Even if the adult opposite made him promise to keep it a secret.
• The booklet intended for children aged 7 to 13 is more explicit and contains examples of situations of violence within and outside the family, as well as solutions to deal with them.
• Teenagers aged 13-18 have access to information specific to their age group and face sexual violence, essential consent and digital risks inherent in our time head-on.

The books are available for free download on Bayard’s website and will be distributed in print with select magazines in March.

Fight against sexual violence: the civic approach

Following in particular the impact of #MeToo incest which revealed a phenomenon of considerable scale, the government announced the creation of an Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence against Children (Ciivise). Since March 2021, this commission has been collecting testimonies and figures to establish the different mechanisms of this violence. It is also responsible for raising awareness among children and adults and issuing recommendations to curb this scourge, through the globalization of a ” culture of prevention and protection “.

According to the latest Ciivise report, 160,000 minors are victims of sexual violence every year. The commission recommended four lines of work to stem the scourge:

• Train professionals to identify victims.
• Legitimize the child’s voice and prioritize their best interests.
• Compensate and treat, so that the victims are recognized and can rebuild.
• Raise awareness in society to prevent sexual violence against minors.

Whether or not these four axes lead to concrete action, families need to understand that the staggering number of victims means that all children are confronted with sexual violence. It is therefore necessary to address the subject as soon as possible, even if it is sometimes embarrassing. It is also that of being a parent: getting out of your comfort zone for the good of your offspring, even if this means getting help from dedicated supports.

Cover photo: Romolo Tavani of Getty Images via Canva.