In 2007 in Allen County alone, out of the 584 child abuse cases reported, 114 reports were of child sexual abuse. The Partnership for Violence Free Families addresses this devastating form of abuse by supporting an evidence-based primary prevention program entitled “Talking about Touching”. This personal safety program is designed for children preschool – 3rd grade and is presented through 14 weekly sessions facilitated during the school day. Each session is composed of 1) a story on a safety topic, 2) discussion about a safety topic, and 3) a skill set learned and rehearsed about a safety topic. The fourteen sessions are grouped in two units: a) Personal Safety including car safety, fire safety, traffic safety, gun safety, getting lost, getting permission and b) Touching Safety including safe touches, unsafe touches, the touching rule, the learning the safety steps.

Research has shown that parents of children that participate in the Talking About Touching Program reported significantly greater communications with their children in regards to talking about personal safety improving the chances that children will come to them with any concerns or reporting. PVFF presents this program as requested in school and after-school settings.