Photo: thegirlscop via tiktok
Child abuse is a topic that gives parents sleepless nights. How can you protect your children? What measures are really useful? Which maybe exaggerated? Where is the best place to seek advice?
We have found a doubly competent woman in this area! And share your knowledge with us.
Terra Avilla is a mom and a police officer who specializes in investigating and preventing child abuse. On your TikTok account”thegirlscopHe shares valuable tips and experiences from his daily work.
video/7164047412338724138" data-video-id="7164047412338724138" data-embed-from="oembed" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;">@thegirlcop let your child speak! they are better witnesses than most adults. #girlcop #imageoflight #policeman #copssoftiktok
His clips are much more than just theory.
After all, the mother of Susanville (California) also reveals how she protects her children.
To this end, he has established five prohibitions that apply to all his children and from which he absolutely does not deviate. With good reason: the bans prevent several typical and dangerous situations in which child abuse can occur.
Here we reveal the 5 bans:
1. “There are no ‘secrets’ in our house!”
The policewoman doesn’t mean that everyone always has to reveal everything. It’s more about terminology: “There’s a big difference between having a ‘secret’ and having one
‘surprise’ preserved. Children have to learn it from an adult shouldn’t tell a child to keep a secret.
2. “No one forces my children to kiss or hug each other!”
Maybe not brand new advice, but one that can’t be repeated often enough: “Eit is his body. And if they don’t want to give a goodbye hug, then they have the right to do so and to set boundaries.” Children must grow up knowing that only they are in control of their bodies.
3. “My kids never sleep alone. Never.”
He would take a lot of flak for this ban, Terra explains. But: “You don’t know who is there or who it could creep in at night.” That risk isn’t worth the fun of a sleepover.
video/7169667828549700906" data-video-id="7169667828549700906" data-embed-from="oembed" style="max-width: 605px;min-width: 325px;">@thegirlcop Replying @ll3o10 also don’t worry about my hair or face or spit on my clothes🤣#child safety #girlcop #imageoflight #svu
♬ Instrumental emotional piano in E minor – Backing tracks by Tom Bailey
4. “No Snapchat for my kids. Nothing good comes from this app!
The investigator knows that many pedophiles spend their time on the social media service looking for new victims. Also, Snapchat displays the user’s location. And the supposed benefit that sent photos would be permanently deleted after the one-time fee isn’t reliable protection either. Because the authors could photograph them in advance. And then own it and redistribute it forever.
5. “My kids don’t use ‘funny nicknames’, they call things by their proper names: penis and vagina.”
Because this is the only way they can explain to their parents, detectives etc. what happened to them really unambiguously. This tip is also known, but important. So said z. For example, sex educator Melissa Carnagey: “One problem is that there are so many alternative terms and many of them have different meanings. This can be a risk because it can lead to a child being misunderstood by others, especially if they may have been touched on those body parts and need to tell someone.
Mama Terra Avilla always gives one thing to consider with her advice: The trust between children and parents must be right so that the children also understand the prohibitions – and these would not lead to complete rebellion.
