Introduction

Do you want to protect your children from abuse? This programme, No Excuse For Abuse! has been designed for adults in any country who have children in their homes or who have a major role in caring for a child.

No Excuse For Abuse! is based on and written to support the successful child abuse prevention programme Keeping Ourselves Safe. This programme is taught in schools throughout New Zealand with the support and assistance of the New Zealand Police.

No Excuse For Abuse! has been set out so that you can, in the comfort and privacy of your home, read and consider the materials. You may download and then print this entire e-book or merely print the activity sheets appropriate to the age of your child or the child in your care.

These pages contain information, advice and practical skills to help adults keep children safer from abuse. They also contain activities that adults can work through with children. These co-operative activities give parents and carers an opportunity to openly discuss abuse and neglect with their children.

No Excuse For Abuse! contains activities that can be worked through co-operatively with your children. Activities have been grouped for the following age ranges: 5-7 (school years 0-3), 8-10 (years 4-6) and 11-13 (years 7-8).

The activities are based on the Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum. By completing these activities, parents and carers are supporting the work of schools and the development of their children in this curriculum area.