What ifs
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These are a series of hypothetical situations that can be fun and informative for children. You can develop ones to suit your circumstances and they can cover a range of situations. They can be quite useful to do on long car journeys! Try to use them to discuss the range of actions a child could take in certain situations. Below are some examples.
What would/could you do:
a) If you were staying with Uncle John and while you were in the bath he came in and took photos of you.
b) If a baby sitter shows you a magazine with pictures of naked people.
c) If you woke in the middle of the night and smelt burning.
d) If you and your friend were playing at a neighbours (Mr Brown's) house and he started to play with his penis. He offers you money if you watch him.
e) If a close family friend comes to pick you up from school but you were expecting to go home by bus that day. He tells you Mum sent him.
f) If your grandmother comes to stay who always wants lots of cuddles from you but you don't like cuddling anyone but Mum and Dad.
g) If your big brother always comes into your bedroom when you are getting dressed and it makes you feel uncomfortable.
h) If your older girl cousin asks you into her bed and has no clothes on. She starts to touch your private parts and asks you to touch hers.
i) If someone comes to the door when all the adults are out and says he is a policeman and he needs to come inside.
j) If you were camping with your best friend and his Dad and he gave you a few beers. In the middle of the night he comes into your tent and takes your pyjamas off.
k) If you are playing on the computer with the son of Mum's best friend who is older than you and you really like. He suggests playing another game which is a secret and involves you taking your clothes off.
l) If you were sitting on Pop's lap and he started tickling you. It feels really good and you are giggling but then it goes on too long and too hard and you don't like it anymore.
m) If an older boy at school starts to touch your private parts and says you'll get into trouble if you tell.
n) If Uncle Frank is taking you to the cinema. In the car he takes your hand and puts it on his private parts. He tells you he has special things to show you because you are his favourite child but says that if you tell he will hurt your rabbit.
o) If you and your friends are in the shopping centre and a strange man takes your friend in to the toilets.
p) If Dad's best friend makes you feel uncomfortable and you don't like the way he looks at you since you started puberty.
The possibilities of What Ifs are many and they can be used to help children develop plans of action for many situations good and bad. They can also be fun and help you and your child to communicate more closely.
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Disclaimer
Copyright Updated: 15 Feb 2010
The South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of country throughout Victoria. We pay our respects to them, their culture and their Elders past, present and future.