Sexual Abuse Prevention Books & Website Resources
Books about sexual abuse
(to read to kids, or for kids to read to themselves)
Age 1 to 5:
Some Parts are Not for Sharing by Julie Le Federico. Friendly fish and underwater scenes are used to give a simple message about private body parts and safe touch.
Age 2 to 8:
It’s my Body: A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch by Lory Freeman. Gives examples of different types of touches to help children to recognize and resist uncomfortable touch. Covers touches that are: nice, acceptable but unwelcome, unpleasant but necessary (for example from doctors) and unacceptable. Stresses a child’s right to protect their body.
Age 3 to 7:
The Right Touch: A Read-Aloud Story to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse by Sandy Kleven. Jimmy’s mum explains the difference between good touches and touches that are uncomfortable, secret or forced. She tells him how to resist inappropriate touching and explains that abuse is not a child’s fault. Provides advice on what to do if a child tells you about an abusive situation.
Age 3-7:
My Body Belongs to Me by Jill Starishevsky. An interactive book which uses rhythm to engage the reader. Defines body boundaries, sexual abuse, and emphasizes the importance of telling.
Age 3 to 10:
No-No the Little Seal: A Story for Very Young Children That Tells About Sexual Abuse by Sherri Patterson and Judith Feldman. Encourages children to talk about their worries through the story of NoNo. When his uncle touches him inappropriately and tells him to keep it a secret, NoNo struggles with whether it is wrong to tell and who he can talk to. Includes a guide for parents and a CD of the story with songs.
Age 5 to 10:
‘I Said No!: A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private by Zach and Kimberly King. Explains what private body parts are, good and bad touching, scenarios of what someone may say, what to do if you feel uncomfortable, who trusted adults are and what to do if no one listens or believes you. Includes advice on reading the book with children.
Books about healthy sexuality
(for you to read to kids, or for them to read themselves)
Age 2-6:
What Makes a Baby: A Book for Every Kind of Family and Every Kind of Kid by Cory Siverberg. A straight-forward book about human reproduction and birth.
Age 3-6:
Amazing You! by Dr. Gail Saltz. Presents straight-forward information about reproduction, birth, and body differences.
Age 8 and up:
Sex Is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and You by Cory Silverberg and Fiona Smyth. A comprehensive healthy sexuality comic book for kids that includes children and families of all makeups, orientations, and gender identities, also includes information about boundaries and touching.
Age 10 and up:
The Girl’s Body Book (The Boy’s Body Book): Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up You by Kelli Dunham. A comprehensive book that covers puberty, common questions about body changes, drug and alcohol use, school, managing emotions, relationships, friendships, families, and future planning.
Age 10 and up:
It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex & Sexual Health by Robie Harris. A comprehensive book that covers puberty, reproduction, birth, hygiene, sexual abuse, sexually transmitted illnesses and healthy relationships.
Parenting Books
What Your Child Needs to Know About Sex (And When) by Fred Kaeser. Mr. Kaeser offers advice for having positive conversations with children; beginning when they are young. Mr. Kaeser also has a blog. Reading the blog is a free way to get lots of the same (good) information.
How to Talk to Your Kids about Sex by Dr. John Chirban. This book offers advice on how help children view their sexuality positively and how to have on-going conversations about sexuality, and relationships. Dr. Chirban also has a blog entitled, “The Age of Un-Innocence: Confronting Difficult Topics with Kids.” Located on Psychology Today’s website.
From Diapers to Dating: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Children by Debra Haffner. This book is a practical guide that offers parents a way to have on-going conversations about sexuality and dating. It focuses on pre-school to middle-school aged children.
The Sexwise Parent by Janet Rosenwieg. This book offers information on protecting kids from bullying and abuse as well on advice on talking with kids about sexuality. Dr. Rosenwieg also provides information about how sex offenders manipulate boundaries, and ideas about keeping your children safe in different environments.
Recommended Websites
Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan: www.swmichigancac.org
Darkness to Light – Sexual abuse prevention and awareness education for adults: www.D2L.org
The Mama Bear Effect – Sexual abuse prevention and awareness education for adults: www.themamabeareffect.org
ProtectMIChild – Online safety information and statewide registry for electronic devices: www.protectMIchild.com
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – Resources regarding missing and exploited children. Topics include, Autism & Wandering, Child Sex Trafficking, End-to-End Encryption, Family Abduction, Help ID Me, Infant Abductions, Long-Term Missing, Missing From Care, Online Enticement, Other Types of Missing, Endangered Runaways, Sextortion, Child Sexual Abuse Material, Nonfamily Abductions & Attempts: www.missingkids.org
National Sexual Assault Hotline – Sexual assault resources, information and hotline/chatline: www.RAINN.org
The Polaris Project – National human trafficking awareness and hotline/chatline: www.polarisproject.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Suicide prevention information and hotline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Love is Respect – Relationship abuse and domestic violence information and education for teens and adults: www.loveisrespect.org
The Trevor Project – LGBTQIA+ support, crisis/suicide prevention: www.thetrevorproject.org
No Hit Zone – Physical abuse prevention through alternatives to physical discipline: www.nohitzone.com
Monique Burr Foundation – Child sexual abuse education and curriculum for children: www.mbfpreventioneducation.org
Play it Safe! – Child sexual abuse education and curriculum for children: www.playitsafe.org
Enough Abuse – Campaign to end child sexual abuse: www.enoughabuse.org
Safe 4 Athletes – Fostering safe environments, free from abuse, for athletes: www.safe4athletes.org
Netsmartz – Cybersafety education for children and teens: www.netsmartz.org
Helpful Resources and Links
Michigan Child Protective Services Children’s Protective Services (CPS) is a program within the Department of Human Services (DHS) responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Michigan Sex Offender Registry The Michigan public sex offenders registry established and provided as a result of the sex offender registration act.
Childhelp USA Our primary purpose is to focus our efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.
KidsCount Database Access date from al 50 States on well-being of children in each State.
Michigan Crime Victim Compensation Information on crime victim assistance and compensation. Includes forms and victim’s rights information.
Michigan Children’s Trust Fund CTF serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety, and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
The National Children’s Alliance National Children’s Alliance is a professional membership organization dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient and put the needs of child victims first.
Prevent Child Abuse America The mission of Prevent Child Abuse America is to “prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children” and includes all forms of abuse and neglect, whether physical, sexual, educational, or emotional.
