Parents of 8-12 year olds
The Middle Years - Focus: The Safety Circle & Recognizing "Testing"
As children become more social, offenders look for "compliant" or "lonely" targets. This is the stage where grooming often begins.
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Building a "Safety Team": Help your child identify at least three specific adults they can go to if they feel confused or scared.
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Spotting "Testing" Behaviors: Predators often "test" boundaries through small violations like tickling, excessive gift-giving, or seeking "special" one-on-one time.
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The Two-Adult Rule: Model this policy at home and in your community. No adult should ever be alone or out of sight with your child.
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Policy-Based Redirection: If you see an adult crossing a line, don't make it personal.
Use a Redirection Script: "Our family rule is that interactions stay in open, observable spaces. Let's head back to the group."