When a Child Hurts Another Child: What Parents Need to Know, Do, and Say

I recently spoke with a mother who reached out to me because her 5-year-old child had disclosed sexual abuse - not from an adult, but from another 5-year-old child.

Let’s just pause there.

Because this is the part no one war...

Our kids will test us with the little things before they’ll trust us with the big things!

As a former child abuse detective, I’ve seen firsthand how crucial it is for kids to feel safe and supported by their parents, especially when it comes to difficult or dangerous situations. But here’s a truth...

Entering the dating world as a single parent involves balancing your emotional needs with your children’s safety and well-being. Not a simple task.

Introducing someone new to your child’s life is a big decision that requires careful thought and planning. While it’s natural to want companionship, it...

The difference between inappropriate and grooming behaviours

As parents, educators, and caregivers, distinguishing between inappropriate behaviours and grooming tactics is crucial for protecting children against child sexual abuse.

Inappropriate behaviour can often be a boundary-crossing incident ...

Setting up your child’s new smartphone or device for success and safety

Whether it’s your child’s first phone or their next device, it is super important that we don’t give our kids a smartphone or device with access to every danger on the internet, without putting up some guardrails and protectiv...

I remember when I was returning to work after my daughter was born and the emotional roller coaster I went through in finding an early childhood centre. I had so much mum-guilt in needing to put her into childcare that I cried for days.

At that stage, I was not even a police officer, I was just nee...

Parent Question: I am thinking of enrolling my son in an organised group activity, but I am worried about the safety aspects for him whilst being around adults we don’t know personally. Is there any way we can make it safer so he can still enjoy being involved in group activities?

Sports and organi...

I’m going to be honest with you all…I have some regrets. 

If you haven’t read or heard my story, I joined the police when my daughter was just shy of 2 years old and became a detective not long after she turned 6 years old. 

I heard and saw A LOT of things that have fundamentally changed me as a p...

Have you ever replayed a moment where you wish you had spoken up and said something but at the time you didn’t know what to say or you were too shocked to say something?

It’s not easy to call out inappropriate behaviours, especially when it comes to other adults or family members, but when it comes...

I grew up in a blended family. My parents separated when I was a young child and I grew up with step-parents.

With that being said, there was a lot less blended families when I was growing up than there is now. Blended families are a much more normal family structure than when I was younger and the...

A child that does NOT feel safe will not disclose abuse.

At times I think we forget this FACT in our goals to protect and help kids. 

As a specialist child interviewer, I was very aware that the time and process prior to the child's interview was equally, if not more important than the actual inte...

Before I begin with my sleepover safety advice and tips, I would like to acknowledge that sleepovers were one of my fondest memories growing up.

When I went to a sleepover, I got to see how other families interacted and lived. I got to see  how their mum’s took care of my friends and the difference i...