Resources

It is important to build children’s self-esteem to combat child sexual abuse.

Books on feelings help build trust and communication.

Books on personal boundaries teach children that “their body is their body”.

Talking to children about their whole body is important so they feel comfortable talking to you and asking questions as they grow and mature.

What’s the Big Secret? Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys by Laurie Krasny Brown,E.D. and Marc Brown
Amazing You: Getting Smart about Private Parts by Gail Saltz and Lynne Avril Cravath
Who Has What? All abut Girls’ Bodies and Boys’ Bodies by Robie H. Harris and Nadine Bernard Westcott

Grief after a loss, a divorce or a traumatic event is important to deal with at any age.

Sad Isn’t Bad, A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing with Loss by Michaelene Mundy and R.W. Alley
Lifetimes, The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen
Samantha Jane’s Missing Smile, A Story About Coping with the Loss of a Parent by Julie Kaplow and Donna Pincus
When Dinosaurs Die, A Guide to Understanding Death by Laurie Krasny Brown and Marc Brown
A Terrible Thing Happened, A Story for Children who have Witnessed Violence or Trauma by Margaret M.Holmes and Cary Pillo
Tear Soup, A Recipe for Healing After Loss by Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen
Two Homes by Claire Masurel

Books on criminal justice issues help children understand difficult family situations in an age appropriate way.

Books for teens.

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass
Don’t Tell: The Sexual Abuse of Boys by Michel Dorais
Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse by Patti Feuereisen
How Long Does It Hurt: A Guide to Recovering from Incest and Sexual Abuse for Teenagers, Their Friends, and Families by Cynthia Mather
I Never Called It Rape: The Ms. Report on Recognizing, Fighting and Surviving Date and Acquaintance Rape by Robin Warshaw
Kids Helping Kids by Linda Lee Foltz
What Will Happen To Me? by Howard Zehr and Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz

Books for parents.

Keeping Children Safe/Communication Off Limits: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse by Sandy K. Wurtele and Feather Berkower – go to www.parentingsafechildren.com
The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman
Ready for the Day!/Ready to Play!/Ready for Bed! by Stacey Kaye
Dealing with the Aftermath of Sexual Abuse Helping Your Child Recover from Sexual Abuse by Caren Adams and Jennifer Fay
Adults Molested as Children: A Survivor’s Manual for Women and Men by Bear and Dimock
The Mother’s Book by Carolyn Byerly
When Your Child Has Been Molested: A Parent’s Guide to Healing and Recovery by Kathryn Brohl and Joyce Case Potter
Kids Helping Kids by Linda Lee Foltz
Victims No Longer: Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Child Sexual Abuse by Mike Lew
The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers by Gary Chapman
What Will Happen To Me? by Howard Zehr and Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz

Thanks to the McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center in Syracuse, NY for the main content of this list.