The Protective Behaviours Program
There are two core themes emphasised throughout the Protective Behaviours Program:
Theme 1: We all have the right to feel safe all of the time
Theme 2: We can talk about anything with someone we trust no matter what it is
A number of concepts and strategies are present with each theme including the following:
Concepts
Safety
Early Warning Signs
Networking
Persistence
Protective Interrupting
STRATEGIES
Theme Reinforcement
One step removed
Network Review
Key Topics
We cover a number of topics during the Protective Behaviours course, each drawing on the Core Themes.
The Program includes topics such as child safety, rights and responsibilities, body awareness, and early warning signs for children.
We also look at issues relating to building networks of trusted adults for children, sharing safe and unsafe secrets, notions of public and private, teaching about personal boundaries, assertiveness, and teaching problem solving techniques for children (called the ‘What ifs?’)
We use resources such as books, puppets and games appropriate for engaging children in the learning.
We teach parents about how to have conversations about keeping children safe and how to develop Body Safety Rules and a Family Safety Plan.