Endorsements
If youre a parent, chances are one of your biggest fears is that your child will be sexually assaultedand given todays 24-hour news cycle, we see and hear plenty of sickening accounts to feed our worst fears. In their new book, however, Drs. Robinson and Scott encourage you not to live in fear, but to equip yourself and your kids with the awareness and skills that will help keep them safe.
Jim Daly, president, Focus on the Family
This book is a weapon against the enemy of your childs heart and soul. Its a shield to protect them from known and unknown predators. It will enable you to parent not out of fear but confidently. Its such a practical and empowering book!
Chris Fabry, author and host of Chris Fabry Live
This book should be a desk reference for every parent, pastor, church leader, school administrator, teacher, and anyone who works with children. The authors do a fantastic job of equipping parents to foster a warriors heart in their children.
Camille Cates, author, speaker, ACBC certified counselor
Protecting Your Child from Predators was an absolute eye-opener for me. Robinson and Scott made me aware of the dangers our children face. Full of practical tips for sleepovers, camps, and neighborhood bike rides. This book is a must-read for every parent to keep their children safe and strong.
Sam Chan, City Bible Forum, Australia
In our world today, this book is necessary and sobering. It was especially helpful in breaking down age groups, giving specific examples of how predators work. It is our moral and Christian responsibility to be informed, take action, and do our very best to protect all who are at risk. This resource is needed in every home, school, and church.
Lisa Crump, vice-president volunteer mobilization and liaison to prayer ministries, National Day of Prayer Task Force
At a time when were becoming increasingly aware of the prevalence of sexual abuse, we need the guidance Drs. Robinson and Scott provide in this long-overdue resource. Parents will be thankful for the safeguards presented here to protect their children and teens from life-altering abuse. And so will the children in your care.
Sally Gary, director, CenterPeace, and author of Loves God, Likes Girls
Protecting Your Child from Predators is one of the most comprehensive and helpful books on abuse written specifically for parents. Its the perfect balance of factual research, personal stories, and application for each stage of your childs development. This book will help prevent abuse.
Jimmy Hinton, MDiv, minister and abuse advocate, Somerset Church of Christ, JimmyHinton.org
Sadly, whether it is a doctor, teacher, or most regrettably, a member of the clergy, child sexual abuse is plaguing our sexually saturated culture. Love your children and grandchildren by protecting them. This book is a great tool for you to prepare now or run the risk of counseling later.
Corey Miller, PhD, president/CEO, Ratio Christi
Our worst nightmaresomeone we love, especially a child, experiences any form of sexual abuse. And we find out years later, which finally explains the acting out, the hiding, the sudden shift in personality, but doesnt do a thing for our sense of helplessness and horror that it occurred under our watch. Drs. Beth Robinson and Latayne Scott provide a no-nonsense guide to facing this difficult subject unflinchingly. Their suggestions are clear and concise. Their approach is sensitive yet direct. This is a must-have guide for anyone who has charge of raising a human beinga needed support for navigating these difficult waters of an all too pervasive plaguepredators.
Patti Rokus, author/artist of RocksTellStories.com
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2019 by Beth Robinson and Latayne C. Scott
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-1872-5
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations identified NET are from the NET Bible, copyright 19962016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations identified NI r V are from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version. NIrV. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com. The NIrV and New International Readers Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.
Scripture quotations identified NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cover design by Dan Pitts
Authors are represented by Credo Communications, LLC.
Dedication
Beth dedicates this book to the courageous children, teens, and parents who have survived and thrived after being sexually abused. Their warrior hearts have inspired her and graced her life.
Latayne dedicates this book to her grandchildren.
Epigraph
Since it is so likely that [our children] will meet cruel enemies,
let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage.
Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker.
C. S. Lewis
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Epigraph
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Creating a Warrior Heart
1. Know the Turf, Have a Plan, Protect Your Children
2. You Want Me to Talk About Sex?
Section I: Children Five and Under
3. Children Five and Under: What They Should Know
4. Abuse by Authority Figure: The Sitter
5. Abuse by a Peer: The Small Group Bible Study
6. Abuse by Family Member or Trusted Friend: The Cousin
7. Abuse by Strangers: At the Restaurant
Section II: Children Ages Six to Eleven
8. Children Six to Eleven: What They Should Know
9. Abuse by Authority Figure: Private Lessons
10. Abuse by Family/Trusted Friends: The Sleepover
12. Abuse by Stranger : Riding Bikes in the Neighborhood
13. Abuse Involving Technology: The Wikipedia Ambush
Section III: Ages Twelve and Older
14. Ages Twelve and Older: What Your Adolescent Should Know
15. Abuse by Authority Figure: The Mission Trip
16. Abuse by Family/Trusted Friend: The Coach
17. Abuse by Peer: Dating Violence
18. Abuse by Strangers: Malls and Other Public Places
19. Abuse Using Technology: Unsupervised Access to TechnologyApps
Conclusion
Recommended Resources