PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE
At Protective Pathways, we envision a world where every child and young person is shielded from the threat of sexual abuse.
Our mission is clear: to reduce the risk of abuse by empowering protective adults and establishing safe spaces for children.
Our guiding principles are rooted in the belief that the responsibility for preventing sexual abuse should never rest on children. Instead, we provide parents, caregivers and those who work with children, proactive prevention strategies to stop abuse before it occurs.
We provide programs to individuals or to schools, child care centres, sporting organisations, or clubs - helping adults, especially parents and caregivers, to understand the crucial role of protective adults in safeguarding children, and assisting them to create and maintain safe spaces.
Grounded in solid theory, evidence, and ongoing research, we are dedicated to evaluating our programs to fulfil our mission and uphold our values.
Take Action and Book a PARENTS as PROTECTORS program today.
OUR VISION
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
That all children and young people are protected from sexual abuse
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
OUR MISSION
To reduce the risk of sexual abuse through the involvement of protective adults and the creation of safe spaces
OUR VALUES
Sexual abuse prevention is NEVER a child’s responsibility.
We prioritise PROACTIVE prevention – stopping abuse before it happens.
PROTECTIVE ADULTS, especially PARENTS, are the key to keeping children safe.
SAFE SPACES reduce the likelihood of sexual abuse occurring.
TOGETHER we can create safe spaces.
WHY PROTECTIVE PATHWAYS
The Two Pathways: A New Approach to Sexual Abuse Prevention
Traditional child sexual abuse prevention methods place the responsibility for protection on to children themselves, expecting them to recognise, resist, and report sexual abuse. These methods are not based on theory, and there is no body of evidence demonstrating that child-targeted education actually prevents sexual abuse. There is also evidence to suggest that young children might not have the capacity to enact prevention methods, and that these methods may have some negative unintended side-effects.
For these reasons, Dr. Julia Rudolph developed the theory-and-research-backed Two Pathways Model, which empowers adults to prevent child sexual abuse by focusing on two key areas:
🔹 Protective Parenting Pathway – Creating safer environments to prevent abuse.
🔹 Child Wellbeing Pathway – Strengthening emotional wellbeing to reduce vulnerability.
By combining these pathways, adults can take proactive steps to stop abuse before it happens.
The Two Pathways Model is a game-changer in sexual abuse prevention, ensuring that parents are equipped to protect their children; because child safety isn’t a child’s responsibility—it’s ours.
Parents As Protectors: Helping Parents Create Safe Spaces
Sexual abuse is preventable—but only if adults take responsibility for protecting children.
Parents have largely been absent from prevention efforts, but when they are involved, their role has been limited to that of educator - teaching their children prevention strategies. But research suggests that parents should be employed as protectors rather than educators.
That’s why Dr Rudolph created the Parents as Protectors program—a proactive approach, built on theory and evidence that empowers adults to:
🔹 Recognise early signs of grooming and abuse before harm occurs.
🔹 Create safe spaces where abuse is less likely to happen.
At its core, Parents As Protectors acknowledges that prevention is an adult responsibility. By shifting the focus from child education to adult action, this approach helps ensure that children grow up in spaces safe from sexual abuse.
CONTACT US
Contact us to make a booking, schedule a discussion, or request more information.
