Public and Private Spaces

What children should know

Children should be able to identify public and private spaces that exist in homes, at school and other places where the child goes. Children should know they are entitled to have some privacy when they are in a space that belongs to them such as their bedroom or other private spaces such as bathrooms and toilets.

Why this is an important part of child sexual abuse prevention

If your child knows there are public and private spaces and that they are entitled to privacy when they, for example, have a shower, are getting changed or are in their bedroom, then it will make them more likely to be able to identify when someone doesn’t allow this opportunity. Introducing concepts of boundaries in relation to privacy educates children about their rights.

Ideas for having conversations on this concept