Trusted Adults

What children should know

Children should know:

What children should be able to do

Children should select five trusted adults from at least three different areas of their life; with at least one from their family, at least one from school and at least one from somewhere else. The child should let the trusted adults know they have identified them as part of their support network. The child should be able to talk about significant moments in their life with their trusted adults and this could include communicating about things that are happening in their life or things they are learning in Orbit.

Children should be able to list the qualities of the relationship they have with a trusted adult and understand that just because someone has authority over them, it does not automatically mean the qualities of the relationship are positive.

Why this is an important part of child sexual abuse prevention

Creating an environment where children feel comfortable to share things that worry them and have someone to listen and be supportive encourages healthy relationships between children and adults.  Having a healthy attachment to trusted adults is the single most important protective factor to protect children from sexual abuse. Responding sensitively and supportively is crucial in helping children talk about what is happening to them.

Ideas for having conversations on this concept

Related Concepts

Healthy Self Concept

Trusted adults should reinforce a child’s healthy self concept and should not undermine the child's relationships with other trusted adults.

Modes of Communication

Children need to know the many different ways in which they can communicate with their trusted adults. If a trusted adult is someone that the child cannot contact easily, then it may be necessary for the child to choose a different adult for this role.

Tell & Keep on Telling

By building a support network of trusted adults, children have adults they can turn to if they are being abused.

Conveyed through the story

Chapter 1: Togetherness

In this chapter, the player character beams aboard their first trusted adult who is a representation of someone from their family. The trusted adult supports the player character and also stands up for Sammy’s privacy.

Chapter 2: Listening

In this chapter, the player character beams aboard their second trusted adult who is a representation of someone from their school. The trusted adult supports the player character.

Chapter 3: Understanding

In this chapter, the player beams aboard a third trusted adult who is not from school or their family. This trusted adult helps the player throughout this chapter.

Chapter 4: Belief

In this chapter, the player character beams aboard their fourth trusted adult. This trusted adult can be from the player’s school, family or somewhere else. This trusted adult helps the player character for the rest of this chapter.

Chapter 5: Courage

In this chapter, the player character beams aboard their fifth trusted adult who helps the player to understand that what has been happening on the spaceship is not their fault and helps the player to navigate around the spaceship.

Epilogue

In the Epilogue, the player and their five trusted adults discuss what they have achieved together.

Conveyed through the minigames

Speak Up

Each level requires the child character and their trusted adult character to work together to finish the level. The trusted adult character has special abilities required to complete the level.

Opening Doors

The player’s trusted adult is integral to solving the problems occurring in this mini-game. Also in this mini-game we see Sammy telling his/her trusted adults that he/she has been abused and they indicate that they will help keep him/her safe.

“I am good at” board

Trusted adults are able to log in and add information to the player’s “I Am Good At” board.