Prevention Tips for Parents & Caregivers

Learn best practices for protecting children from sexual abuse, and discover resources for help and healing if someone abuses a child in your care. 

At RAINN, we believe prevention starts with education and open communication—and that healing is possible for every survivor and their family.

Get Informed

Many parents and caregivers worry about “stranger danger”—sexual predators lurking in public spaces or online, waiting to harm their children. 

The threat of sexual predators is real, but research shows that most child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts, such as a family member, friend, coach, or babysitter. (1)

Child Sexual Abuse Statistics

Research reveals who’s at risk, the long-term impacts of sexual abuse, and who perpetrates this crime. Learn the facts so you can take action.

See the Statistics

How Can Parents Help Protect Kids from Sexual Abuse & CSAM?

There’s no failproof way to guarantee a child’s safety—but these five tips can make a real difference when it comes to protecting kids from online predators.

See the 5 Tips

Bystander Intervention: Protecting Children

Learn to recognize the signs of child sexual abuse, how to talk to a child survivor, and how to report crimes against kids, tweens, and teens.

Learn To Intervene

Get Support

At RAINN, we’re committed to supporting families who are navigating safety concerns or healing from child sexual abuse.

If a child in your care does experience sexual abuse, RAINN is here to walk beside families and communities from crisis to healing.

How RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline Can Help

• Educational guidance. We provide accessible tools and articles, enabling caregivers with the knowledge needed to protect children and help families access ongoing care.  
• Information and assistance. We help parents and caregivers learn about reporting processes, find trauma-informed therapists, and support their child’s long-term recovery.
• Advocacy and action. We advocate for federal and state laws that empower prevention, healing, and justice—and you can join our fight!

Join Our Community

Join the Fight for a World Free from Sexual Violence

Sign up for inspiring stories, important updates from RAINN, and tools to take action in your community.

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

I agree to receive email and text updates. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out.

Email(Required)

Zip / Postal Code(Required)

ZIP / Postal Code

Phone(Required)

Submit

Show Support

Whether you’re a survivor yourself or know someone who is, your compassionate support can profoundly impact someone’s healing journey. Here’s how.

Take Action

Show up, speak out, and step in. Learn more about how you can add your voice, fight for justice, and help RAINN move its mission forward for survivors. 

Sources

(1) Finkelhor, D., Shattuck, A., Turner, H. A., & Hamby, S. L. (2014). The lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse and sexual assault assessed in late adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(3), 329–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.026 Opens in a new tab↗