Safe touch and unsafe touch
Safe touch feels comfortable. This might be a kiss from a grandparent or a hug from a friend or sibling. Unsafe touch feels uncomfortable or confusing.
You are the only person who has the right to touch your private body parts. No one else should touch them without your consent. It is child sexual abuse any time an adult sexually touches someone who is under the age of 16.
Children and youth need to know what areas of their life are public and what are private. This helps keep them and others safe.
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Public places
- School, classroom
- Church
- Public washroom
- Recreation centre
- Library
- Store
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Private places
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Public behaviour
- Cooking
- Watching TV
- Going to class
- Shopping
- Playing sports
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Private behaviour
- Going to the bathroom
- Shaving
- Showering
- Getting dressed or undressed
- Touching your private parts/ Masturbating
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Public body parts
- Body parts that you keep uncovered in public places – head, hand, arm
- Body parts that you feel comfortable for people to touch without permission (handshake, fist bump, pat on the back).
- Everyone has a different idea of what body parts they feel comfortable with other people touching without permission. It’s always best to ask.
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Private body parts
- Areas a bathing suit or underwear covers—female and male reproductive body parts
- Any area a person considers private
- Private body parts should be covered if you’re in a public place
- No one should touch or see your private body parts without your permission
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