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The new school year brings fresh starts—and new social dynamics that can sometimes create risk. This issue offers a quick, trauma-informed refresher to help you strengthen your child’s safety net in the first month of school.
You’re probably already doing some of these things—but a reminder never hurts. With just four simple weekly actions, you can help your child feel connected, recognize red flags, and stay safer as they navigate new environments and relationships.
The first week of school is the perfect time to help your child build a strong support system. Introduce yourself and your child to key adults—teachers, counselors, bus drivers, and after-school staff—who can be trusted allies. These connections create a web of support that strengthens your child’s resilience and reduces their vulnerability to exploitation.
Make sure your child knows who their “safe adults” are and how to reach them. Show them where to find help if they need it, like the guidance office or main office. A quick email to your child’s teacher with any key info about your family and your child’s needs or interests also sets the tone for strong collaboration all year long.
When kids know they’re surrounded by adults who care and whom they can turn to, they’re more confident, better protected, and less likely to fall through the cracks.
This week, focus on building your child’s awareness and habits around online safety—a crucial step in protecting them from exploitation. Together, review privacy settings on their devices and apps. Keep it collaborative to empower rather than police.
Talk about setting online boundaries: who they talk to, what kind of messages are okay, and why they should never share personal info like their full name, school, or location. Go through their friend lists and apps with them, reinforcing that they can come to you with anything that feels off—without fear of punishment, including losing device privileges.
By creating open, judgment-free conversations and clear expectations, you're helping your child build digital habits that keep them safer now and into the future.
Strong communication with your child is a powerful tool for preventing exploitation. This week, focus on building daily check-in habits and making sure your child knows what to do if plans change unexpectedly. Review pick-up routines and back-up contacts, and ensure they know how to reach a trusted adult at any time.
Use open-ended questions like, "Who did you spend time with today?" to stay in touch with their social world. These conversations help you spot changes in mood, friendships, or behavior that could signal distress, bullying, or manipulation.
Pay attention to repeated complaints, reluctance to go to school, or shifts in energy or attitude. These early signs often reveal deeper issues. Staying engaged—and trusting your gut—keeps your child safer and signals that you're always in their corner.
The final week of your child’s safety foundation focuses on building their confidence to act in unsafe or uncomfortable situations—key to preventing exploitation.
Practice real-life scenarios together: saying “no” to peer pressure, asking adults for help, or responding when something doesn’t feel right. Make sure they know what to do if separated in public or if someone asks them to keep a secret that feels wrong.
Remind your child they can come to you no matter what—even if they’ve made a mistake. This kind of unconditional support builds trust and makes it more likely they’ll speak up when something’s wrong.
Finally, help them identify other trusted adults and introduce resources like:
so they always know where to turn, even if you're not there.
By taking these four simple steps during the first month of school, you're building a strong foundation that helps prevent exploitation. Clear communication, consistent routines, and open conversations equip your child to recognize unsafe situations and seek help when needed.
This isn’t about creating fear—it’s about giving your child the confidence, support, and skills to stay safe and connected, now and in the future.
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