Together for Prevention
Together for Preven on is a graphic novel created by Protect Me Project for children between the ages of 2 to 8 years and their parents. Our goal is to prevent child sexual abuse. As we collaborate with administrators, teachers, and parents in preven ng child sexual abuse, Protect Me Project teaches: • Body awareness (I have public parts and private parts.) • Emo onal intelligence (My emo ons protect me.) • Human rights (I can say “No!”, get away, and use my voice when something makes me feel uncomfortable.) • People we can trust (I have trusted adults who will listen to me. We don't keep secrets.)
Author Patricia Chacón de Pérez Illustrator José Espinoza Funes - Kazhiel Editor/Translator Carla Marroquín Home office 521 W. Lynn St. Springfield, MO. 65802 protectmeproject@gmail.com www.protectmeproject.org Second edi on in English, 2022
Protect Me Project exists to prevent commercial sexual exploita on in countries of origin. We work to prevent child sexual abuse, pornography consump on, pros tu on, risky online behaviors, violence, and objec fica on.
"All rights reserved, including the right of reproduc on in whole or in part in any form." ISBN: 978-0-9859511-1-5
Public Parts and Private Parts
Mouth Chest Bu ocks Vulva
Mouth Chest Bu ocks Penis
Getting to Know
My Body
One Sunday morning, Mom and Dad were fixing lunch for the family while Cody and Jenna were watching their favorite YouTube Channel.
Suddenly, a man and a woman came on the screen wearing almost no clothes. This surprised the children, who called for their parents! Hearing Cody and Jenna's reac on, Mom and Dad quickly came into the living room.
—“Even if you might see people on screen with very li le clothing, it's not o.k.,” they explained. “We always respect our private parts and the private parts of others. Our private parts are important,” Dad said.
—“Our private parts are the parts we usually cover up with our bathing suit,” added their mom.
—“No one should see, touch, ckle, take pictures of our private parts, or ask us to do that to them,” said Dad.
Getting to Know My Body My private parts are:
MOUTH
MOUTH
CHEST
CHEST
BUTTOCKS
BUTTOCKS PENIS TESTICLES
VULVA VAGINA
Private parts rules: NO ONE MAY See
Touch
Tickle
Take photos of
Kiss
Halfway embarrassed, Cody asked, “Is it okay for you to see my private parts?” —“No. Your Mom and I love you very much and we respect your private parts,” Dad answered. “But what if my private parts hurt?” Jenna asked quietly. —“Your dad and I will always take care of you and take you to a doctor if you need it, but we will always be sure you are respected,” responded her mom affec onately.
Then Dad called everybody to the table for lunch so they could keep talking at the table.
At the table, as they began to eat lunch, their dad told them: —If anyone you know, or a stranger wants to see or touch your private parts, or show you theirs, or asks you to touch them, remember: • I protect my private parts. • No to secrets, yes to surprises! • If I’m not comfortable, I can SAY NO! • I can run and tell a trusted adult.
—“We will, Dad!” said Cody in a loud voice, smiling and confident. And Jenna agreed energe cally, “I can take care of my own private parts. They're super important!”
Their mom got up and went around the table to give them a great big hug. —“Thank you, kids, for always being good listeners and willing to learn. We love you a lot, do you know that?” asked their dad as they all picked up the dishes a er lunch.
4
steps to prevent
Sexual Abuse of Minors
1
4 I protect my private parts.
2
NO
to secrets
Yes
to surprises!
3 If I’m not comfortable, I can SAY NO!
I can run and tell a trusted adult.
Protecting
My Body
Cody & Jenna are playing in the park near their home with friends. Their mom is visi ng with some of their neighbors nearby.
The
Corner Store
Mr. Charlie is the owner of the corner store where Cody and Jenna go every day. Today he called them in to give them a juice box. The children excitedly ran over to the store and said, “Hi!” to Mr. Charlie.
—“Would you two like to help me in the store today?” Mr. Charlie asked them once they were inside. “We will keep it a secret, you know, just between the three of us. You can't tell anyone. What'ya say?” Cody and Jenna looked at each other, confused and doub ul about Mr. Charlie's idea.
While Jenna was distracted, and Cody was picking up a bo le from the floor, Mr. Charlie came up behind Cody and tried to touch his private parts.
What can I do?
Freeze?
Flee?
Fight?
Jenna turned around just in me to see what had happened and she shouted loudly, “NOO!!”
Cody and Jenna were frightened and ran out of the store as fast as they could! “Mr. Charlie the store owner tried to touch my private parts!” Cody said to his sister in a trembling voice as they ran. —“We've got to tell Mom what happened!” Jenna encouraged him. “Remember what Dad told us on Sunday at lunch?”
Their mom listened carefully as Cody and Jenna told her what had happened. She knew the store owner, Mr. Charlie, needed to be confronted. Once they knew Cody and Jenna were safe, she went to The Corner Store to talk to the owner.
—“What is going on here? You tried to touch my Cody's private parts and that's not ok.”
—“No! No, I didn't do that. He misunderstood. Your children are lying!” Mr. Charlie told their mom, trembling but trying to defend himself.
In just a few minutes Cody's dad arrived at the store with a Policeman so Mr. Charlie ,the store owner, would never bother another neighborhood child again.
This family was glad to be walking home together. Meanwhile, Dad went over the 4 steps he had taught them on Saturday: • I protect my private parts. • No to secrets, yes to surprises! • If I’m not comfortable, I can SAY NO! • I can run and tell a trusted adult.
“Moms and Dads, it is our responsibility to take care of our children and protect them from sexual abuse. Be informed, be prepared. We can give them a future with op ons.” 24
Recognized by the federal government of the United States of America, I.R.S. as a public charity, 501(c)3 on the 25th day of July 2012. We are grateful to all our Protect Me Project volunteers for their efforts in distribu ng this graphic novel. We celebrate the sacrifice and generosity of children in the U.S. who are part of the B.G.M.C. club for raising the necessary funds to print this material. To learn more about our work to prevent commercial sexual exploita on, please visit our website: protectmeproject.org or write to us at protectmeproject@gmail.com
www.protectmeproject.org protectmeproject@gmail.com