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Teaching Consent Early: A Practical Approach to Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Date March 27, 2026
Time 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location Virtual

Family Support Friday Session 5

This Family Support Friday is an interactive workshop that provides participants with practical tools and information to understand and apply consent-based sex education as a strategy to prevent child sexual abuse. Grounded in child development and trauma-informed practice, the session explores how modeling consent and teaching bodily autonomy, boundaries, and respectful relationships build critical protective factors that reduce vulnerability to abuse. Participants will explore how children learn about consent at different ages and how adults can reinforce consent concepts through everyday interactions with both children and families.

This workshop addresses common misconceptions about consent-based sex education and provides clear, accessible language programs and providers can model and share with families. Through real-world scenarios, reflection, and skill-building activities, participants will gain confidence supporting families in ongoing, age-appropriate conversations about bodies, boundaries, and safety.

This session centers on relationship-building and empowerment, helping family support staff and families alike integrate consent education into their work and their families in ways that are culturally responsive, strengths-based, and aligned with child sexual abuse prevention goals.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify key consent concepts children learn at different developmental stages and how these build protective factors.
  2. Apply practical language and strategies in everyday interactions with children and caregivers.
  3. Address common concerns and misconceptions about consent-based sex education using prevention-focused messaging.

Presented By

  • Ana Maria Ramos

    Ana Maria Ramos

    Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Trainer

    Ana Maria Ramos

    Ana María Ramos is the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Trainer at the Children’s Trust of Massachusetts, where she leads statewide trainings to strengthen how organizations, educators, and families prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse. In her role, she provides training and community engagement to help create safer environments where children can thrive.

    Before joining the Children’s Trust, Ana María worked with the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts, where she facilitated comprehensive sexuality education programs for youth and families across the state. Her experience there deepened her commitment to making sexual health education accessible, culturally responsive, and empowering for all communities.

    After earning a degree in Hospitality Management and working in that field for more than a decade, Ana María took a career break to focus on parenting. During the pandemic, she decided to use her skills in connecting with people and building relationships for a more meaningful cause. She became a certified Sexual Health Educator, finding joy and purpose in helping families navigate conversations about bodies, consent, and healthy relationships.

    A proud Puerto Rican mother and bilingual educator, Ana María brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work. She believes that prevention begins with connection — and that when adults have the knowledge, tools, and language to talk openly with children, entire communities become safer and stronger.

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