(Punjabi version / ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ)
Body autonomy is the right to decide what happens or doesn’t happen to your body. Teaching your children from a young age to develop a sense of body autonomy is a proven way to prevent child sexual abuse (CSA), and also encourages children to disclose abuse should it happen to them. The images below share a few tips on how to talk to your children about body autonomy.
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-1.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Teach-them-proper-body-part-names-1.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/body-autonomy-safe-touch.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Teach-them-that-they-can-say-no-1.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Teach-them-that-abuse-is-never-their-fault.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Teach-them-to-never-keep-secrets-from-you.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/help-them-think-of-5-adults-they-can-trust.png)
![](https://sikhfamilycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Talk-to-your-child-early-and-often.png)
How to Teach Your Child Body Autonomy
- Teach them proper body part names.
- Teach them about safe touch.
- Teach them that they can say no.
- Teach them that abuse is never their fault.
- Teach them to never keep secrets from you.
- Help them think of five adults they can trust.
- Talk to your child early and often.
Find more resources and information at sikhfamilycenter.org/csa/ including videos by parents and youth on body autonomy.
Sources: