Age-appropriate guidance on teaching children about body safety, personal boundaries, and consent.
Body Safety is the understanding a child develops about their own body, private parts, personal boundaries, and their right to say no to unwanted touch.
Teaching children about body safety and consent helps them understand personal boundaries, recognise inappropriate behaviour, and feel empowered to speak up. These conversations should begin early and evolve as the child grows, using clear and matter-of-fact language.
Body safety education gives children the vocabulary and confidence to identify and report uncomfortable situations. Concepts such as 'private parts', 'safe and unsafe touch', and 'no secrets about bodies' form a foundation that reduces vulnerability and increases the likelihood of early disclosure.
In your child's behaviour
Use correct names for body parts from an early age
Teaching children the anatomical names for their body parts removes shame and gives them precise language to describe anything that concerns them.
Teach the 'underwear rule'
The NSPCC's PANTS rule is a simple framework: Privates are private, Always remember your body belongs to you, No means no, Talk about secrets that upset you, Speak up — someone can help.
Model and respect consent in daily life
Demonstrate consent through everyday actions: asking before hugging, respecting when a child says they do not want to be tickled, and never forcing physical affection with relatives.
In immediate danger: call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101.
Concerned about a child but it's not an emergency? NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. Childline for young people 0800 1111.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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