TELL YOUR STORY
By telling a trusted person about what happened, our distress decreases. Initially, it can be very difficult, and we may believe that we will never be able to bear the memory. However, by sharing our story with a supportive confidant, we realize that the memory loses its hold on us, no longer dominating our lives. While it may never be a pleasant memory, its emotional impact lessens over time, and growth prevails.
Telling our trauma story to a supportive therapist is one of the key components of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
DECIDE TODAY, BREAK FREE.
Telling your secret...
is brave
and begins healing.
Not everyone is a suitable sounding board for sharing your pain. Some struggle to listen due to their own insecurities or may try to blame/criticize. Seek one who will provide understanding and compassion when sharing. Timing is important - take your time and choose when/how to share. It's part of growing through experiences.
Providing Children in Oklahoma a safe place to share their secret.
Prevention is possible! At The BAGGAGE Movement, we recognize the urgency and importance of body boundaries education. Join us in our mission to equip ourselves and our children with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to create a world where safety and respect flourish. Together, we can effect meaningful change and safeguard the well-being of the ones we hold dear.
TEACH BOUNDARY RULES
Keep everything under your bathing suit area, Private.
-No one should touch your private parts.
-No touching another person’s private parts.
-No looking at another person’s private parts.
-No showing your private parts.
-No one should show you their private parts.
-No looking at videos or pictures of private parts. (No one should video or take pictures of your private parts.)
If anyone tries to cross your body boundaries or break the private part rules,
Say “Stop!” then go and tell a safe adult.
No one should ever ask a child to keep a secret.
-Explain the difference between a secret (that you would hide from others) and a surprise (that will bring joy to someone else.)
Use the correct (anatomical) words for private body parts. It lets children know that it’s okay to talk about those parts of their body.
Discuss the three different types of touch; Safe touches, Unsafe touches and Unwanted touches.
Household rule: No forced physical contact, even with relatives. Children don’t need to physically please others, at the expense of their own comfort level. If someone tries to guilt them into hugging or kissing, remind them they don't have to. Suggest a high-five or a hand wave as a respectful alternative option.
Teaching kids “my body is my own” helps them learn how to make decisions based on boundaries that make them feel safe.
CREATE LESS BAGGAGE
EMOTIONAL & BEHAVIORIAL WARNING SIGNS
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Overly compliant
- Self confidence/image (decreased)
- Nightmares or bedwetting
- Returning to regressive behaviors (like thumb sucking or babytalk)
- Not wanting to undress/bathe or excessive bathing
- Drop in grades or absences
- Increased sadness
- Lack of energy/sleep
- Fear of certain people or places
- Develops new worries
- Withdrawal from activities, people they enjoyed
- Using words/phrases “too adult” for their age
- Change in eating habits
- Unusual weight gain/loss
- Aggressive behavior
PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS
- Health issues related to anxiety
- Chronic stomach pain or headaches
- Self-injury or harm (increased) self touch
- Frequent urinary/yeast infections itching or burning in bathing-suit area
-Odor/redness/rash
-Complaints of pain during urination or bowel movements…
Reach out to a trusted health care professional for more information.
CONCERNING ADULT BEHAVIORS
- Tries to be a child’s friend rather than filling an adult role in the child’s life
- Does not seem to have age-appropriate relationships
- Talks with children about their personal problems or relationships
- Spends time alone with children outside of their role in the child’s life or makes up excuses to be alone with the child
- Does not respect personal boundaries or listen when someone tells them “no”
- Keeps secrets
- Engages in touching that a child or child’s parents/guardians have indicated is unwanted
- Gives a child gifts or special privileges (often without occasion or reason)
- Spends a lot of time with your child or another child you know
- Restricts a child’s access to other adults
- Always available, seems too good to be true-helping with rides home/babysitting
- Expresses unusual interest in child’s sexual development, such as commenting on sexual characteristics or sexualizing normal behaviors
NATIONAL PREVENTION RESOURCES
RAINN
1(800)656-hope(4673)
Darkness to Light
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
call or text 1-800-4-A-CHILD
(1-800-422-4453)
National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Stop It Now!
OK STATE RESOURCES
Bethesda
Stop Go Tell Program
405-364-0333
OU Child’s Study Center
(405) 271-8858
Care Center
Roar Program
405-236-2100
NCSBY Resources
ADVOCACY
National Children’s Alliance
GIVE
The Baggage Movement invites you to join us in our mission today. Together, let's create a movement of compassion, opportunity, and hope.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly impact lives, giving individuals the tools they need to overcome adversity and build better futures.