Below are examples of situations you may encounter and ways you might respond. As you are thinking about how you might respond in a given situation, consider the following questions:

• What would I need to do to protect my children?
• What could I do to help protect other children?
• Should I talk directly to the person who is behaving inappropriately?

SCENARIO 1.
You are looking for a child care provider for your son. You visit a child care provider's home based on a friend's recommendation and get a "funny feeling" about the provider.  

1. Trust your instincts. Look for another provider.
2. Call Vermont's Child Care Consumer Line at 1-800-649-2642 to find out more information about the provider and report any concerns.
3. Call your local child care referral agency for help finding a provider. Ask to speak to the child care referral specialist. 

SCENARIO 2.
You observe an uncle playing with his niece in a way that makes you uncomfortable. (e.g., he continues to tickle her, in spite of her obvious discomfort and requests for him to stop).

1. Address the situation directly with the uncle when it happens. You might say something like: “Your niece has asked you to stop, so stop." This lets both the uncle and niece know that you are paying attention and care.
2. Pay attention to the ongoing behavior of the uncle.
3. Supervise your children when he is around.
4. Talk to the girl's parents about your concerns.

SCENARIO 3.
You are monitoring your daughter's emails and come across sexually-explicit emails between her and a teacher. The teacher sent naked pictures of himself to your daughter and asked her to send naked pictures of herself to him.

1. Report the situation immediately to DCF.
2. DCF will work with law enforcement to address the situation.
3. DCF will help you figure out next steps, including identifying support for your daughter.

SCENARIO 4.
Someone interacts with your child in a way that crosses boundaries (e.g., a coach offers your child an unauthorized ride, a bus driver gives special treats to only your child)

1. If it feels safe and appropriate to do so, talk to the person directly about his or her behavior.
2. Contact the person's place of work (e.g., school, camp, other youth-serving organization) to report the behavior. 
3. Talk to your child about the situation.
4. If you are still concerned about the situation, call DCF at 1-800-649-5285.

SCENARIO 5.
You are worried about a situation involving someone else's child (e.g., a camp counselor is spending time with the child outside of their role, a teacher is having sleepovers with a student)

1. Contact the person's place of work to report your concerns.
2. Ask them what they are going to do about the situation.
3. Talk to child's parents to express your concerns.
4. Restrict that person's access to your children.
5. Talk to your children.
6. If you are still concerned about the situation, call DCF at 1-800-649-5285.

SCENARIO 6.
You are concerned about your teenaged son’s behavior.  You notice that he seems especially uncommunicative lately, has a sudden and keen interest in playing with younger kids in the neighborhood, and has been watching movies with strong sexual content contrary to your rules. Taken individually, you might not worry much about any of these behaviors, but the combination of factors is concerning.

1. Take immediate action. A quick response is essential to ensuring the best possible outcome for all involved in any potentially harmful situation.
2. Read the helpful resources listed below.
3. Get professional advice about how best to respond and how to talk with your son about your concerns.
4. Address your concerns directly with your son in a straightforward, calm manner.  Remember, this is a difficult conversation for both of you.
5. Continue to use professional support to determine if further action is necessary after talking with your son.

Helpful Resources:

• Let's Talk: Adults Talking to Adults about Child Sexual Abuse, published by Stop It Now!^®—a national, non-profit child protection and prevention center.
   
• Do Children Sexually Abuse Other Children? Preventing Sexual Abuse Among Children and Youth, published by Stop It Now!^®—a national, non-profit child protection and prevention center.