Parents, neighbors, friends, and families all have a role to play in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. Preventing child sexual abuse starts with helping kids understand their bodies. It is also about how to set healthy physical and emotional limits with others and learning how to respect others' limits. Talking to kids about healthy bodies and boundaries helps to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. It helps them grow up to be respectful and safe adults. Teaching our community members these things is also important.​

The Children's Safety Partnership is about preventing abuse before it begins and supporting schools and caring adults with responding if abuse is known or suspected. Check out our Your Questions page for facts about child sexual abuse and responding to it. ​

Want to learn more about becoming compliant with the new Maine Department of Education (DOE) child sexual abuse prevention and education policy?  Click here for information about the role of schools in child sexual abuse prevention and response. Click here to find the implementation guide created by Maine DOE and the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA)  to help you through the process.