Can I trust this family with my child for a few hours? Is this daycare actually going to keep them safe? What about a sleepover, is that a step too far?
If you've ever sat with questions like these and felt your stomach drop, you're not alone. Every parent I speak to, whether at a school hall or on...
Picture this.
You're at a family barbecue. Your toddler doesn't want to hug Grandpa goodbye, and you say, gently, "That's okay, you don't have to." Grandpa laughs it off, but you catch the look. The one that says soft parents raising soft kids. Later, over dinner, someone mentions your daughter "tal...
Why Teaching Kids About “Games” Matters More Than Ever
Most unsafe games don’t look unsafe. They start as fun, friendly, harmless… until something shifts.
Predators often disguise grooming as “play” - because games feel normal, familiar and exciting for children.
When kids understand the rules of ...
Grandparents hold a special kind of magic in a child’s world - they’re the storytellers, the biscuit-bringers, the soft landing when life feels hard. They’ve lived through decades of change and with that comes wisdom, love and a deep desire to protect the little ones who light up their lives.
But t...
A Guide to Keeping Kids Safe – Dad’s Edition
(Protection through prevention, not just reaction)
For generations, the role of “protector” has been stamped into what it means to be a dad. You stand at the gate, watching for danger, ready to fight if someone hurts your child.
But here’s the thing - if...
Let’s talk about something that makes a lot of adults squirm - how to explain safe and unsafe touch to little ones when we are the ones responsible for helping them with things like toileting, nappy changes and hygiene.
This topic came up from an educator who purchased my Conversations with Kids ca...
Because one conversation won’t cut it, but the right stories can change everything.
Why Books Are Your Secret Weapon in Body Safety Education
Here’s the thing: kids don’t learn the most important stuff in one big sit-down talk. They learn through repetition. Through play. Through stories. Through ...
The Question No One Wants to Ask (But Every Parent Should)
Most parents assume the people they love are safe for their children. That family and friends means protection. That love equals trust. I wish that were always true.
But my years as a child abuse detective taught me something I could never...
Entering the dating world as a single parent involves balancing your emotional needs with your children’s safety and well-being. Not a simple task.
Introducing someone new to your child’s life is a big decision that requires careful thought and planning. While it’s natural to want companionship, it...
The difference between inappropriate and grooming behaviours
As parents, educators, and caregivers, distinguishing between inappropriate behaviours and grooming tactics is crucial for protecting children against child sexual abuse.
Inappropriate behaviour can often be a boundary-crossing incident ...
I’m going to be honest with you all…I have some regrets.Â
If you haven’t read or heard my story, I joined the police when my daughter was just shy of 2 years old and became a detective not long after she turned 6 years old.Â
I heard and saw A LOT of things that have fundamentally changed me as a p...
A child that does NOT feel safe will not disclose abuse.
At times I think we forget this FACT in our goals to protect and help kids.Â
As a specialist child interviewer, I was very aware that the time and process prior to the child's interview was equally, if not more important than the actual inte...
