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A Guide for Teens with Developmental Disabilities to
Discuss with a Caring Adult
TOUCH AND MY BODY
What Do You Know About Touch?
There are may different kinds of touch. All touches do not make you feel the same way.
Good Touches
A pat on the back from a teacher for doing well in your school work can make you feel good. A hug from your mom or dad can make you feel nice.
Bad Touches
Some touches make you feel bad. If someone punches you or slaps you, that touch will make you feel bad. Another touch that may feel bad is if someone pushes you in an angry way. It may also make you feel bad If someone touches your private parts when you don’t want then to .
Confusing Touches
Another kind of touch is confusing touches. You may feel mixed-up if someone you trust says they love you but wants to touch you all over your body and you don't’ want them to. If someone makes you touch their private parts, that can be confusing. Sometimes a touch may feel good in your private parts but makes you feel weird, strange, or ‘yucky’.
Your whole body is neat and wonderful! Some parts are special and private. These special parts of your body are the parts that go under your swimsuit and your underwear.
These special parts can also be called our private parts. Most of the time it is not okay for anyone to touch your private parts. Can you think of a time when it would be okay?
It would be okay if you are hurt or sick and a doctor or nurse needs to check your body. It is also okay if someone is helping you do something you cannot do for yourself.
It is NEVER okay if the person who wants to touch you makes it a
SECRET.
It is not okay for someone to make you touch their private parts.
Adapted, with appreciation, from Catalina Herrerias, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Important:
- It is NOT your fault if someone touches your private parts or makes you touch their private parts.
- Tell someone you TRUST and someone who will listen and believe you. If that person does not help you, tell someone else who will.
- Many people don't tell about their private parts being touched because they are AFRAID. (It’s okay to be afraid.)
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If you tell someone, the touching may stop. Also, if you tell, it may help other people not be touched in a bad way by the same person.
NO ONE SHOULD HIT OR HURT MY BODY.
MOST PEOPLE SHOULD NOT TOUCH MY PRIVATE PARTS.
Adapted, with appreciation, from a brochure developed by
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
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