1. Recognize that sexual abuse could happen to your child.

It’s estimated that one out of every four girls and one out of six boys will experience sexual abuse, according to the American Psychological Association.

2. Recognize that the predator will most likely be someone you know.
Chances are, it won’t be a stranger offering your child candy on the playground: More than 90% of the time, the child knows the predator in some way, according to the organization Childhelp. The predator could be a family member, a teacher, a coach or a trusted friend.

Don’t let your guard down just because someone is charming or nice. In fact, those are reasons to put your guard up. Predators “are very good at ingratiating themselves with children,” said Dr. Judith Cohen, medical director for the Center for Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

3. Be suspicious of adults who try to spend time alone with your child.

Of course, your child will spend time with adult friends, teachers and coaches. But beware of the ones who make an effort to be alone with your child, who shower your child with gifts or who speak of having a “special relationship” with your child.

4. Avoid situations where your child could be molested.

“If your child wants to go on a sleepover, you should know those parents, especially if your child is young,” said Dr. Paula Bloom, a psychologist in private practice in Atlanta. “If you don’t know the parents, don’t let them sleep over, even if it would be convenient for you.”

If your child is going on an overnight trip, for example with a Scouts group or an athletic team, Bloom says to ask about the sleeping arrangements and “who will have access to whom.”

5. Don’t insist that your child hug someone

Too often, parents tell a child to hug or kiss a relative or friend, as in, “Aunt Susie’s here from Florida. Go give her a hug.” This is a mistake, Bloom says. It’s not that Aunt Susie is necessarily a threat to your child, it’s that children should hug only people they want to hug.

“We worry about how we’re perceived as parents, and that’s why we insist that they hug people. We don’t want people to think we’re rude,” Bloom said. “But really it’s a terrible lesson for our kids.”

6. Teach your children about good touch, bad touch.

Teach your child that she has control over her body and should say “no” to touches that make her uncomfortable.