Safety rules

There are important rules which must be followed in order to protect children from abuse. These rules are often called safety rules. Following these rules will help you make the right decision if you are ever in a dangerous situation. The rules are as follow:

• Always seek permission from your parents, teachers or guardians before going somewhere with others.
• Avoid strange streets, buildings, parks and other buildings. Do not go anywhere alone or with friends without telling someone about it first.
• Refuse to meet anyone you met online or on your phone. They could be pretending to be anyone, even a child. When you are home alone, only open the door to your family. Opening the door to others can be dangerous for you and for your family.
• Always remember the rules of touching: the parts of your body which are covered by your underwear should only be touched by your parents or a teacher, for hygiene or treatment reasons.

Always follow the “7 Don’ts”:

Don’t talk with strangers or let them into your house.
Don’t go into lifts or building entrances with them.
Don’t get into a stranger’s car.
Don’t stay outside after school, especially when it’s getting dark.
Don’t give your phone number and address to a stranger.
Don’t meet up with someone you met through the internet or on your phone.
Don’t accept gifts from strangers.

The word “No” will help you avoid danger, when you can say it freely and with conviction. For example, if a stranger asks you to go with them for a walk, tell them “No!”.

If a stranger comes to pick you up from school, and your parents didn’t warn you about it beforehand, tell them “No!”.
If a stranger asks you to just go and show them a street or help them carry their bag, you should still say “No!”.

What you should do if an adult is trying to convince you to do something?

Sometimes, adults can ignore it when you say “No” and persistently try to change your mind. For example, they could say “I thought you were already a big girl/boy, but you’re saying you need your parents’ permission?!”. You should try to get away from these people as soon as possible. When you get home, tell your parents and your members of family about what happened.

How to say “No”

For example, if a stranger is offering you a gift, this is how you should respond:

• Tell them: “No! I don’t know you! I’m going to go and tell mum!”.
• After saying “No!”, get away from there straightaway.
• Make sure you tell an adult about what happened.

Remember! If you don’t want someone to touch you, you can:

• Tell them “No, stop it” or “I don’t want you to do this”.
• Can away from there straightaway after saying “No”.
• Make sure to tell an adult about what happened.

Find out more here 
By Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF)