It’s normal to feel reluctant to be away from your child and nervous with a new babysitter. However, if your feelings of unease do not go away or if you start to feel uncomfortable with anyone who is caring for your child, it may be time to find a new babysitter.

Marybeth Dwyer is a national trainer of Talking About Touching (TAT), a child abuse prevention curriculum, and has over twenty years of experience in the family support field.

It’s important for parents to know what normal sexual behaviors are and to feel comfortable creating a safe environment where their children can explore and understand their bodies.

Many of the behavioral changes that children undergo are a result of their ongoing development. However, when the change seems drastically out of character or concerning it could, though may not necessarily be, a sign of abuse.

While educating children about appropriate boundaries and safe touches is the first line of defense against dangerous situations, knowing the warning signs of a potential abuser is a crucial part of protecting your child from sexual abuse.