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We call this publication the Revolutionary Childhood Blog because we know that protecting children from sexual abuse is revolutionary.
A childhood that is free from sexual abuse is revolutionary because of the way it will transform our communities.
Child sexual abuse is rarely spoken about. But that doesn’t mean we won’t notice when it is gone.
We will notice happier and healthier friends and family. We will notice that our co-workers and colleagues are happier and more engaged. We will notice fewer mental health challenges. We will notice more joy. We will notice more creativity. We will notice more optimism and abundance.
But we can’t get there without making some changes.
Fortunately, the steps you and I can take are manageable.
You don’t need to solve world hunger.
You don’t need to invent a new green energy solution.
You don’t need to wake up and do everything completely differently from the way you usually do things.
We just need to make a few small adjustments.
That’s what it will take to be an Active Bystander: A few small adjustments.
We’ve all been in a situation where someone is doing something that makes us uncomfortable.
I remember watching a parent-coach belittling their child-athlete. I didn’t like what I was witnessing. But I didn’t do anything about it. I didn’t know how to respond.
These are the types of moments when we can step up and become Active Bystanders.
These are the types of moments where we can strengthen our community. Instead of walking away, I could have followed the steps that we learn in our child sexual abuse prevention training:
1. Name the behaviour
2. Set a limit
3. Move on
I could have said:
1. (Name the behaviour) I don’t like how you are shouting and how angry you sound.
2. (Set a limit) These kids are here to have fun and be supported. Please use an encouraging tone when you are coaching our kids.
3. (Move on) I saw Jane had a nice catch out there today. She’s really improving this season.
This won’t address every nuance in a situation like this, but it at least addresses this moment and sends a message that shouting angrily at a child athlete is not okay.
I didn’t know how to react when this situation occurred (so long ago now). And maybe you aren’t sure how to respond when you feel uncomfortable about what you are witnessing.
Maybe you aren’t sure if it is your place to say anything at all.
That’s normal.
And that’s why training is important.
If I saw a parent-coach berating a child today, I would step in. Because I am trained, and I have practiced scenarios, and considered WHY it is important to step up to protect children.
If a child can’t count on other adults to protect them from verbal abuse, what would make that child believe that those other adults will protect them from sexual abuse?
We can demonstrate to children that we are safe adults that they can count on when we become Active Bystanders.
In just 60 minutes, you can become more confident as an Active Bystander.
Priority Kids is pleased to pass along an opportunity for you to hone your active bystanding skills with the online course, Protecting Children Through Active Bystanding.
This 60 minute online course is available to you at no cost when you use the discount code ACTIVE25.
Click on the link, select the asynchronous online option, add the course to your cart and apply the ACTIVE25 code to waive the fee.
If you haven’t taken the Stewards of Children course, you may be prompted to create an account.
This isn’t just theory. You’ll get real-world scenarios, expert-backed strategies, and simple, effective actions you can take immediately to make a difference.
Learn how to:
✅ Spot boundary violations before they escalate
✅ Intervene in ways that reinforce safe environments
✅ Take action to prevent abuse—not just react to it
Small steps. That’s all we need. When each of us is willing to make a small adjustment, the revolution will take hold and children will be protected.
Take the training and let us know when you’ve had a chance to protect children as an active bystander.
P.S. Here is a list of resources in Nova Scotia that can help you respond to suspicion, discovery, or disclosures.