SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE SERVICES OF SOUTHERN MAINE
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Resources for
Parents and Families

Body Safety and Consent Through Sex Education

Sex Ed as Part of Abuse Prevention Education (Video): By Rosalie Rivera and Dr. Nadine Thornhill.  

Sex Positive Families (Web Resource):  Sex Positive Families provides education and resources that help families raise sexually healthy children using a shame-free, comprehensive, and pleasure-positive approach.

Sex Positive Talks to Have With Kids: A Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy, Informed, Empowered Young People (Book):  By Melissa Pintor Carnagey, discussing body awareness, consent and safety, identity development, intimacy and media literacy.

How to Talk To Your Kids About Sexual Abuse (Article): By HuffPost 


About Consent: Porn Literacy and Parenting (Podcast): By Rosalie Rivera and Amy Lang. The average age that kids get exposed to porn is 9+. Parents should teach their kids about porn literacy so they can navigate the internet safely and know what to do if they come across porn. 

Resources for Keeping Kids Safe Online

Online Safety for Children & Teenagers: From Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape 

Parent Guides: From ConnectSafely. By parents for parents: A growing collection of clearly written guides that demystify apps, services and platforms popular with kids and teens.

Update Your Privacy Settings: From National Cybersecurity Alliance

Social Media Safety Guides: From HeartMob

Books for Children that Promote Safety and Consent

This book list, book descriptions and age ranges were curated and written by sexpositivefamilies.com.  Visit their website for more!
 
Some Cats Just Want to Be Looked At: Board book by local Maine author, Nicole Lesavoy.  A book to help explain consent to younger children. ChiChi the cat looks like the perfect snuggler except she does not want to be snuggled. There are many ways to show that you care about someone. Respecting their body and space is one of them. (Infant and Toddler, Birth-Age 3)

C is for Consent: Board book by Eleanor Morrison and Faye Orlove.  This book teaches that it is okay for kids to say no to hugs and kisses, and that what happens to a their body is up to them. (Infant and Toddler, Birth-Age 3)

Can I Give you a Squish?: By Emily Neilson.  An important lesson on consent for over-exuberant little huggers, nested inside this lighthearted story about expressions of love and friendship. (Preschool and Elementary, Ages 4-8)

Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept: By Jayneen Sanders. A beautifully illustrated children's picture book that sensitively broaches the subject of keeping children safe from inappropriate touch. (Preschool and Elementary, Ages 4-8)

ABC of Body Safety and Consent: Teach Children about Body Safety, Consent, Safe/Unsafe Touch, Private Parts, Body Boundaries & Respect: By Jayneen Sanders.  A book to teach children about body safety, consent, safe and unsafe touch, private parts, body boundaries, and respect. (Preschool and Elementary, Ages 4-8)

The Every Body Book: The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Guide for Kids about Sex, Gender, Bodies, and Families: By Rachel E. Simon.  An illustrated LGBTQ+ inclusive guide to sex, gender and relationships education that includes children and families of all genders and sexual orientations - covering puberty, hormones, consent, sex and safety. (Tween, Ages 9-12)

Consent (for Kids!): Boundaries, Respect, and Being in Charge of YOU: By Rachel Brian.  This is a smart, playful guide to consent and bodily autonomy, packed with bright and energetic illustrations. Readers will learn about boundaries and how to set them; ways to respect themselves and others; what to do if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe; and much more.

Can We Talk About Consent? A Book About Freedom, Choices, and Agreement: By Justin Hancock (Teens, Ages 13 and up)

Get Support:

Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Helpline

For support, please call our free, private, 24-hour crisis and support helpline at 1-800-871-7741.

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​Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine is funded in part by Maine's Department of Health and Human Services, the United Way of York County, and generous public and private donations. 

In accordance with Federal regulations, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine does not discriminate in the access to our provision of its services.


SARSSM provides free services in York and Cumberland Counties.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Our Mission & History
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Job Opportunities
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • HOW WE HELP
    • Get Help Now
    • Help for Children
    • Advocacy & Support
    • Your Questions
    • Support Groups
  • RESOURCES
    • Search By Topic
    • Community-Specific
    • For Parents & Families
    • Other Maine Centers
  • EDUCATION
    • In Schools
    • In Our Community
  • DONATE