Season 2: Episode 5 - Empowering Children to Recognize Abuse

As an author, parent and social worker, Meghan Hurley Backofen knows that abusers rely on secrecy to perpetrate their crimes.  That's why she works to empower children to recognize and report abuse—including through her children's book Who's the Boss Of This Body?, and podcast 10 Tips for Sexual Abuse Prevention. In this episode, Meghan explains that it is always the responsibility of adults to protect children from abuse. Yet, she says, part of that responsibility includes teaching the knowledge, skills, and even vocabulary that kids need to seek help, should they ever need it. 

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(0:00:01) - Understanding Child Sexual Abuse 
Meghan Hurley Backofen shares how she came to the work of child sexual abuse prevention, and explains why empowering children to speak up is such an important aspect of the work. 

(0:04:34) - Practical Steps for Empowering Children
Meghan shares the importance of break myths, teaching children to protect themselves, and emphasizing honesty and bodily autonomy. We also discuss some of the challenges of balancing bodily autonomy with legitimate requirements of being a parent. 

(0:11:43) - The Role of Organizations in Education and Empowerment
We talk about the role of organizations and youth programming staff in empowering children and educating the community. Meghan shares her vision for how we can all help children to recognize their own agency over their bodies.

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