NSPCC underwear rule campaign

NSPCC’s easy-to-remember guide – Talk PANTS – that helps children understand the key points of the rule

The NSPCC is today (Monday, 8 July 2013) launching an ‘Underwear Rule’ campaign to help parents protect their children from sexual abuse.

The NSPCC’s ‘Underwear Rule’ is aimed at helping support parents and carers to explain how to make it easier to have conversations with primary school age children about sexual abuse. There is supportive guidance for parents explaining the underwear rule, with the NSPCC’s easy-to-remember guide – Talk PANTS – that helps children understand the key points of the rule (information and downloads available at www.nspcc.org.uk/underwearrule). 

• Privates are private 
• Always remember your body belongs to you 
• No means no 
• Talk about secrets that upset you 
• Speak up, someone can help 

It comes as a new online YouGov poll shows half the parents of 5-17-year-olds who took part in the survey have never spoken to their sons or daughters about the issue.

And of those who have more than two in five (43%) said it was a difficult conversation.

Just over one in ten (11%) UK adults surveyed said primary school children faced the biggest risk of sexual abuse from someone they don’t know with half (51%) listing ‘stranger danger’ an area of concern for children of this age. However, previous NSPCC research has shown that in at least 90% of cases the offender was known to the child.

Awareness of sexual abuse has risen dramatically since the vast catalogue of assaults committed by Jimmy Savile were revealed last year, with the NSPCC’s helpline experiencing a huge rise in calls. But while parents want to help their children stay safe from sexual abuse many don’t always have the confidence to explain how.

The importance of this is underlined by one of the YouGov findings which shows more than 83% of those taking part said they thought parents of 5-11-year-olds were responsible for talking to them about the risk.

The six week advertising campaign, which will be aired on nearly 60 local radio stations throughout the North West and the UK is being supported by Netmums and will help these parents teach the ‘Underwear Rule’ to their children during simple conversations. The campaign complements the organisation’s ChildLine Schools Service which is visiting every primary school in the UK advising children on how to stay safe from all forms of abuse.

Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, said: “The shocking case of Savile has horrified many parents and understandably it has heightened concerns around sexual abuse. But most abuse is closer to home and if we are to tackle this issue we must prevent it before it even starts. To do this we must educate our children about staying safe and speaking out. Parents have told us they lack confidence in approaching this difficult but important issue. We’ve worked with parent groups to devise a simple, age appropriate way of making sure children speak up if something happens. It’s a quick conversation but could make a big difference.

“It’s really easier than you may think and you don’t have to mention abuse or sex at all. Just ask them to remember the ‘Underwear Rule’.

“Of course telling kids about crossing the road, stranger danger and bullying are really important but this should be discussed as well. Most parents still think that stranger danger is a threat facing children from the adult world but most abuse is committed by someone known to the child with stranger abuse being very rare. This means traditional messages like ‘don’t take sweets from strangers’ are important but don’t work for much of the abuse that is occurring.”

Siobhan Freegard of Netmums, which is supporting the campaign said: "It's every parents' worst nightmare to find their child has been touched inappropriately - and no family wants to think it will ever happen to them.

“But as the statistics show it does happen to one in 20 kids, and nine times out of ten by someone known to the child. So by talking about it, you are taking the first steps to keeping your children safe.

“No one can deny it's a tough conversation to have. As a mum I can talk openly to my children about stranger-danger. I can talk easily about bullying and how to always tell an adult. But talking about them being touched intimately feels much more difficult.

“As parents we need to find a way to make our kids aware of the danger without scaring them, and that's exactly why the NSPCC is promoting the Underwear Rule. It's clear, simple and easy for even young kids to understand.

“Think of it as a green cross code against sexual abuse. That is why I am encouraging parents to learn the underwear rule and talk PANTS with their children.”