Podcast
Keeping Them Safe
Hosted by Sharon Doty · EN
Creating and implementing a new paradigm for educating adults how to protect children from predators and stop child sexual abuse before it happens.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Are we really meeting the 1993 mandate?
1w ago00:23:30Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn 1993 the U.S. Study on Child Abuse and Neglect set out a mandate for prevention that focused on safer environments for children to grow up in. We are looking at what is happening with that mandate and how the existing paradigm for prevention efforts has thwarted the fulfillment of that mandate. We also look at how becoming and Alert Adult gives you a chance to forward that mandate and gives all of us a real opportunity to meet the expectations.
Transcribe →Shifting the Context of Prevention
3w ago00:33:19Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailContext is defined as "the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood and assessed". In the world of child sexual abuse prevention, the context was determined almost 50 years ago and new efforts to bring forth a new context meet with significant roadblocks. This episode talks about the differences between the existing context, or paradigm, for child sexual abuse prevention and the one the Keeping Them Safe and Because of You operate from and how you can help shift the listening in a way that expands protection for children.
Transcribe →Learning to Respond not just React
Jun 600:14:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailChildren hear what we say. They translate it literally. This episode reminds us that it is important for us to think before we react to incidents, situations, news stories, gossip or even what our children say. We talk about things we might do to ensure that our comments and responses reinforce the message to our children that we are there for them and they can tell us anything.
Transcribe →What to do when prevention fails?
May 1300:28:25Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailRegardless of how vigilant we are, there will be times when predators oursmart us and our children pay the price. In addition, our commitment to being Alert Adults can open the door to another adult who is finally willing to share earlier abuse that has not been disclosed. When that happens, how do we handle it? How do we do the right thing and protect those invoved from further harm? How do we react to hearing this about someone we care about?
Transcribe →Why be an Alert Adult in 2026?
May 100:27:35Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailA discussion of what we recently learned about the "old ways" of prevention education and their failure over the long term in protecting children from predators. We look at how the approach by Keeping Them Safe actually has the potential to make a real impact with minimal effort.
Transcribe →April is Blue for a Reason
Mar 1700:20:14Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis episode discusses how we can emphasize the need for prevention during Child Abuse Prevention Month - April - as we sponsor Blue Monday, Blue Sunday, and other programs that call attention to the problem.
Transcribe →Do some risky behaviors need more attention?
Mar 1200:20:42Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWe know there are several potentially risky adult behaviors that create vulnerability in the environment and put children at risk from potential predators. However, are some more "important" than others? Do some of those behaviors actually raise the bar on the risk? Canadian researchers actually look at that question and have some recommendations for us about where it is important to emphasize our efforts to create safe environments.
Transcribe →Morgan in Tallahassee
Feb 1800:14:54Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailRecently a day care worker in Tallahassee, Florida, took action to protect children in her care when she noticed a man in a parked van taking photos of the children outside. In response, she took the children inside and locked the gate. The response from her management and the parents was not supportive of her actions. How do we, as Alert Adults, take the actions necessary to protect children without raising the ire of other adults in the environment?
Transcribe →Joseph's Story
Jan 2600:20:40Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailSometimes it is important to stop and listen to the story of someone who was groomed and molested in front of a whole crowd of people who thought they were doing something good for him - because they could not see the risk. Being an Alert Adult takes something. We have to focus, practice, and have the courage to take action. Joseph's story of what happened and how it came about is a reminder of why we bother to become a part of this effort - becoming an Alert Adult.
Transcribe →The Internet as a Partner in Protection of Adolescents
Jan 1000:21:49Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailResearch on the real value of in person friends vs. online friends and what adolescents believe can help us help them develop into healthy functioning adults. They rely on social media. Let's use social media to cultivate and nurture all our adolescents growing up to be responsible adults, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community.
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