Originally posted on ScaryMommy.com

The Children’s Trust is dedicated to putting an end to child abuse. The organization reports, “It is estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys experience at least one episode of sexual abuse victimization before they reach their 18th birthday. National statistics indicate that 90% of these attacks are carried out not by strangers, but by people the children know and trust.”

That news makes it even scarier — you think you can count on the people in your life to not only help you protect your child, but to not do them any harm.

Sadly, it’s not the case, but as parents, there are things we can do to ensure our children are safe.

Executive Director of The Children’s Trust, Suzin Bartley reminds us that no one thinks abuse is going to happen to their child of course, “but people who sexually abuse kids are drawn to child-serving programs and have spent a lifetime learning how to infiltrate them.”

So, if you are taking your child to daycare or other programs, you can make sure they have a sexual abuse prevention plan in place. Read the full article with tips on preventing child sexual abuse on ScaryMommy.com.