Child sexual abuse detective: This is what I tell ALL parents before their kids go to school camp

Former child abuse detective Kristi McVee revealed important information  READ MORE: Women wear 'safety layer' in public to deter 'creepy' men 

A former child sexual abuse detective has revealed exactly what all parents should know before they send their children off to school camp.

Kristi McVee has 'seen and heard everything' over the span of her career and says it's simply impossible to 'wrap kids up in a cotton ball'.

'We have to ensure they have the tools to go out into the world and be prepared for it,' the ex-Western Australian police officer said in a video. 'We can't shelter them but we can give them a proper education around abuse.'

She recommends all parents speak with school camp organisers ahead of time to ensure they're satisfied with all precautions taken and are aware of the processes in place should anything happen.

Most of all, Ms McVee said it was absolutely essential for parents and care givers to have 'difficult' conversations with their children about consent and their body.

Kristi McVee has 'seen and heard everything' over her career as a child sexual abuse detective

Kristi McVee has 'seen and heard everything' over her career as a child sexual abuse detective

'If you've never had a conversation around body safety rights and that it's not okay for anyone to touch your child's body, then you should really make sure you kids have those lessons before they go anywhere without you,' she said.

'My [16-year-old] daughter has been having those conversations with me since she was three so I'm pretty confident, but it never hurts to touch up on that.'

What should you tell your child when it comes to safety? 

Ms McVee recommends parents introduce hypothetical scenarios to their children in a safe space and walk them through possible solutions.

She shared a few questions she's asked her daughter in the past: 'What could you do if someone approached you that you felt uncomfortable with?'; 'What could you do if someone was taking photos or videos of you that you didn't want them to take?'

'This is giving them a scenario that they can then find ways they can get help from.'

In terms of practical solutions, Ms McVee stressed the importance of having 'safe' adults children could get to.

Ms McVee has a family safety code word her daughter uses when she's uncomfortable.

Read More

I'm a criminologist - these are the situations where you should always tell a lie

article image

'If she's at a sleepover and something's wrong, she can message me and I then know she needs me to intervene. It will trigger a response from me as a safe adult.'

Ms McVee also touched upon school camps.

'In the case of camps, what can you do if someone makes her uncomfortable? Or worst case scenario, what can you do if you need to get out of a situation where you're being forced or someone is harming you?'

A teacher recommended parents request a list of staff members attending and their phone numbers.

'It's all right not to send them if you don't want to or if you think they're not ready,' she added.

OTHER NEWS

22 minutes ago

Clash Of The Titans? Charlamagne Tha God On Biden Vs. Trump CNN Debate, Power Of Political Plain Speaking On ElectionLine Podcast

24 minutes ago

Cristiano Ronaldo relaxes with his daughter as Portugal's stars enjoy family time after shock defeat by Georgia - with Roberto Martinez's side set to meet Slovenia in last-16

25 minutes ago

Trump, Biden camps target swing states in pricey debate-day ad buys: ‘Who is laughing now?’

25 minutes ago

FBI offers £4m reward in hunt for fugitive 'Cryptoqueen'

26 minutes ago

Rain cloud now looms over Proteas’ T20 World Cup final

26 minutes ago

Robot face with living skin can smile ‘like a human’

26 minutes ago

Tottenham player-plus-cash offer rebuffed by Aston Villa as Unai Emery snubs reunion

26 minutes ago

Are smoky BBQ-flavoured chips a health risk? What’s behind a ban in Europe

26 minutes ago

Mental health experts fear depression in boys going untreated, undetected

26 minutes ago

Warning as new rules begin that could cost you thousands for dumping rubbish

26 minutes ago

EE's newest deal beats Sky and O2 to give mobile users free data this summer

26 minutes ago

We get it, summer office dressing is complicated - here's what the MC fashion team is wearing in the heatwave

26 minutes ago

BBC radio legend quits after 27 years as he tells listeners 'you've been my family'

26 minutes ago

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Player Builds Aircraft Carrier and Bomber

26 minutes ago

2024 MG 3: Drive-away pricing returns, but there’s a catch

26 minutes ago

Violence and self-harm in women’s jails hits record high as prisons crisis deepens

26 minutes ago

Mustafa the Poet announces lineup for London edition of Artists For Aid in support of Gaza and Sudan

26 minutes ago

Zelda Fans Already Have a Suggestion to Improve Echoes of Wisdom

26 minutes ago

Woman who spent £80 on food shop raging as she finds out what's happened to it

26 minutes ago

DWP PIP update issued as 250,000 new claimants apply in just a few months

26 minutes ago

'We feel like second class citizens': Londoners fight for law change so more can vote in general election

26 minutes ago

Simone Biles, Suni Lee and more: Who to watch at US Gymnastics Olympic Trials

26 minutes ago

18 Annoying Onscreen Stereotypes About US States, According To People Who Actually Live There

26 minutes ago

And Now, Jayson Tatum Starts To Reap The Rewards Of Being A Champion

26 minutes ago

'That was a surreal experience, seeing heroes like Aoife Wafer and getting to train with her'

26 minutes ago

Boebert’s Republican successor in district she fled wants to move on from ‘loud, aggressive, in your face’ politics

26 minutes ago

3 Reasons You Might Regret Buying a New Electric Vehicle

26 minutes ago

Bronny James Settles Caitlin Clark vs. A'ja Wilson, Sue Bird Debate

26 minutes ago

A Christmas Movie Inspired By The Kansas City Chiefs Is In The Works At Hallmark

26 minutes ago

Cara Delevingne Sparkles in Sequin Champagne-Colored Mini Dress

26 minutes ago

Dutton’s nuclear plan makes NBN ‘look like a tiny rounding error’: Labor MP

26 minutes ago

Chokers no more? South Africa break 32-year cup curse

29 minutes ago

The Next God of War Needs its Own Ratatoskr

29 minutes ago

Sarah Michelle Gellar Boards ‘Dexter: Original Sin’

29 minutes ago

‘The Bear’: Ayo Edebiri Weighs In On The “Journey” Of Sydney & Carmy’s Business Partnership In Season 3

29 minutes ago

‘Boop! The Betty Boop Musical’ Sets 2025 Broadway Opening

29 minutes ago

Nancy O’Dell To Host Syndicated Daytime True-Crime Series

29 minutes ago

‘Baby Reindeer’ Creator Richard Gadd’s BBC Drama Series ‘Lions’ Boarded By HBO

29 minutes ago

BBC Unveils Mega 12-Show Drama Slate Featuring ‘Dear England’ Adaptation Starring Joseph Fiennes, Aimee Lou Wood’s Debut Writing Project & Rebecca Hall-Led Series From Element

33 minutes ago

Woman Witnesses Deaf Senior Dog Being Surrendered, Starts Recording