Please remember that child molesters and pedophiles (people who have inappropriate relationships with children) do not look like monsters. They do not look like dirty old men. Most of them
are people we know and trust. They pretend to be our friends and then they do things to hurt us. You do not have
to keep thier secrets.
No adult (not your mom, not your dad, not an uncle, NO ONE) has the right to touch you in a way that
makes you feel uncomfortable. Not even another person your age has the right to touch you in a way you do not like (not
your boyfriend, not your girlfriend, not your stepbrother, not your friend). You have the right to say no and to be
heard. If an adult touches you in a way that is wrong or makes you feel uncomfortable please tell some one.
If you can not trust your mom or dad then tell someone else in your family that you can trust. If you can
not trust anyone in your family, then tell someone at school. If you tell someone at school they are required to help
you.
The person abusing you may have threatened you or your family if you tell. They do this so that you will
be afraid of them and you won't tell. They do this so they can keep hurting you.
The person isn't hurting you because you are bad. No matter what they tell you, you are not bad.
You are not making them do things to you. They are the adult and they are making the decisions. They are using
thier power over you to make you feel afraid or like you are wrong.
If you need help please call 1-800-FOR-A-CHILD or 1-800-422-4453.
