Adults want children to grow up with healthy relationship skills. Learning to respect others’ feelings about touch is called empathy-based consent. Brain science findings show that the optimal window for children to learn empathy skills occurs early in life. Raising children who can empathize, and honor others’ wishes about consent will build protective factors to prevent child sexual abuse. In this training you will: a) understand the skills involved in respecting consent b) learn the developmental connections between childhood empathy and adult actions c) learn brain science findings on empathy and the optimal developmental window to acquire it d) learn about primary prevention strategies beginning in early childhood to prevent child sexual abuse and perpetration. You will receive practical steps you can take to teach children empathy-based consent. This training is for professionals who work with at-risk youth, such as residential care staff, therapeutic foster parents, counselors, social workers, educators, early childhood educators, after school staff, and mentors. The information can also be useful for parents, grandparents, and foster parents.
* 2 Continuing Education Credits are available for Vermont Social Workers, Vermont Allied Mental Health Professionals, Vermont Behavior Analysts, Vermont Psychoanalysts, Vermont Psychological Examiners, and Vermont Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors.
