Talking Child Sexual Abuse Prevention

On this episode of KidzDocTalk, Dr. Jennie and Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Co-Founder of KidSafe Foundation, Cherie Benjoseph, discuss educating children on healthy boundaries, prevention, where children can access help as well as resources for parents to keep their children safe.

This episode covers the following topics:

-How common is sexual abuse in children
-How is sexual abuse usually identified and who are common reporters
-Common myths people have about sexual abuse in children
-Long lasting physical and emotional effects of sexual abuse in childhood
-Red flags or things parents and pediatricians can ask or watch for that would indicate someone has been abused
-Primary ways to educate children regarding unsafe situations that may lead to abuse

About Cherie Benjoseph:

Cherie has been in the field of social work since 1989, after graduating from Boston University with her

MSW. She has been serving as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over 30 years in various school

settings. Cherie approaches her work as an expert in Child Sexual Abuse Prevention from a proactive

perspective. She believes that educating professionals working with children, parents, and students in a

school setting about CSA will strengthen our families and help protect our children, breaking the cycle of

abuse. This passion for empowering children to be safe and to develop into healthy, productive adult

members of the community led Cherie Benjoseph to co-found KidSafe Foundation in 2009. Presently, as

Chief Program Officer and National Outreach, she works with national and local leaders to improve

defining the ever-changing issues around protecting children, and on how to help them, their parents and

guardians, and all child-serving professionals. She has been speaking nationally at conferences and

symposiums for over a decade, loves to have conversations about talking to kids about personal safety,

and believes a safe society—free from child sexual abuse and exploitation—is attainable.

Cherie is a mom of 2 (grown and flown), a survivor, and enjoys yoga, working with clay, Chi Gong, travel

and time with her family when she’s not out advocating for the safety of all children.