​Now that the kids have identified some adults they feel safe talking to ....

Welcome back.
​Now that the kids have identified some adults they feel safe talking to, it’s important they also understand that there are some situations where adults might be busy or not be able to hear what they have to say. This doesn’t mean that they should stop telling, but more that they might need to keep telling until someone helps.
It is important for adults to also remember that children can express their distress in a variety of ways other than telling, and that it is our job to keep an eye out for behavioural, emotional or physical signs that they might not be ok (https://www.helpauckland.org.nz/childrens-sexual-behaviour-whats-normal-and-whats-not.html ). If we notice signs that a child is not ok, we can call a service like Safe to Talk helpline, Oranga Tamariki, a parenting centre, or HELP to ask for support about what to do next.
Activity:

• Remind the kids about the ‘safe adults’ they have chosen in last week’s drawing
• Ask them what would they do if the first person they wanted to talk to was busy?
• Help them understand that they might need to try to tell that person over and over until they listen.
• Tell them that if one person is not able to listen, they should try another of their safe adults and keep telling until someone helps.
• Get a book about ‘telling’ out of the library and read it together (HELP has a range of books on this topic).