Bodily Autonomy is a Fundamental Human Right

Teaching Bodily Autonomy Is Real Child Protection

Some of the most important work of More Than Sex-Ed is facilitating conversations with young children about body autonomy and consent. In our sessions, kids learn that their body is their own and that they can make choices about what happens to them. We help children develop an understanding of autonomy so that they recognize that they are unique, independent and capable.

Children have a right to live free from physical acts, such as touch, to which they do not consent. And to reinforce the right to bodily autonomy in all the spaces that children exist, we make it clear to the parents, caregivers and educators that bodily autonomy requires respecting boundaries, affirmative consent, and self-defined personal comfort with affectionate touch.

Teaching kids to listen to their gut instincts goes hand-in-hand with body autonomy. If something feels off about a person, if something or someone makes them feel bad or strange It's critical that they know they can exercise their own power and control. Children need to know that they are never responsible for an adult's emotional needs. 

It's about me making my own choices and also respecting your choices.

And…children need to identify adult resources to whom they can turn if their choices are not respected.  We emphasize the need for each child to name at least one “trusted adult” in their home setting and one in their school setting.  Helping children know that it is important and encouraged to ask for adult support/intervention reminds them that they are not responsible when others do not respect their boundaries.