Personal Body Safety

Each type of abuse is serious and difficult to experience. Remember NO ONE deserves to experience any form of it. Kids who are abused often blame themselves for the abuse. In cases of abuse, it is NEVER, EVER your fault.

1. Physical abuse- injury of a child on purpose ( striking, kicking, choking, shoving, and biting)

2. Emotional and Verbal abuse- harming a child’s mental and social development, causing severe emotional harm ( belittling, threats, labeling, name-calling, ignoring, shaming, rejecting)

3. Sexual abuse- using persuading or forcing a child for sexual purposes to engage in sexual acts or imitation of such acts ( exposure, kissing, fondling, human trafficking, exploitation)

Possible Warning Signs of Abuse: Your classmate tells you or you notice he or she had effects of abuse ( difficulty with relationships, changes in behaviors, difficulties at school, unhappiness, isolation, poor self-esteem, ability to cope, overall mental health)

Abuse prevention: You must tell a trusted adult if you suspect that a friend, family member, of yourself is being abused. ( teacher, counselor, nurse, administrator, coach)

“ Every single one of us can make a difference.”

“If we can talk about it, we can change it.”

Not sure who you can talk to? We all have a responsibility to make a difference.

• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-Child

• Montgomery County Youth Helpline (301) 738-9697

• Special Victims Investigation Division (240) 773-5400

• Your school counselor (make an appointment or stop by the counseling office)

In the case of emergency, call 911 immediately