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Every once in a while, we happen upon something that has the potential to make a gigantic improvement in someone's life. Child abuse is one of those things that many adults have carried with them in silence since childhood. Guilt, shame and negative feelings result from abuse. No child should have to carry this burden. But is there a way to prevent the abuse in the first place?
What if a book could help train kids to protect themselves against abuse, giving them the words and actions to take, right from the start? What if something as simple as a book could empower kids who have been abused to seek help? Jill Starishevsky has masterfully written "My Body Belongs to Me" for just this reason. This book is a gift to the world to help stop the abuse.
As a parent and child safety expert, I encourage all caregivers to purchase a copy of this powerful book and read it with the child in your care. We can't be with our children every second of their lives, so we must teach them to speak for themselves and that abuse is something that should not be tolerated. Please help spread the word about this important book, it could help a child who desperately needs it!
Newly Released Children’s Book
“My Body Belongs to Me” Makes a Difficult Discussion Easier
Groundbreaking Title Teaches Children That Their Bodies Are Their Own
NEW YORK, NY--(January 26, 2009) - Safety Star Media announced today
the publication of its children’s book, “My Body Belongs to Me,”
written by New York City prosecutor of child abuse and sex crimes, Jill
Starishevsky (Hardcover $14.95 U.S., ISBN 9780982121603).
Using her decade of experience, Ms. Starishevsky, mother of two, has
crafted a book that speaks to children - it makes them aware that when
it comes to their bodies, there are boundaries. The book encourages
them to tell a parent or teacher if someone touches their “private parts.” Inspired by one of Starishevsky’s young sexual abuse victims who followed Oprah Winfrey’s
advice and outcried after watching an episode of her show, “My Body
Belongs to Me” is geared toward children ages three to ten. It tells
the story of a child who is inappropriately touched by an uncle’s
friend.
The clear message of “My Body Belongs to Me” is that
if someone inappropriately touches you, tell. “Just as we carefully
teach youngsters what to do in case of fire, we must teach them what to
do if someone touches them,” urges Starishevsky. Surprisingly, until
now, there were no age-appropriate books available to help adults
discuss this subject with young children. “My Body Belongs to Me” fills
this void and facilitates this dialogue in a straightforward yet
sensitive manner. Pattie Fitzgerald, founder of Safely Ever After,
a safety program for parents and kids, proclaims, “I have been teaching
child safety classes for nearly ten years, and this is the first
children’s book I’ve seen that really addresses the issues in a way
that kids can understand and that doesn’t seem scary or heavy-handed.”
“‘My Body Belongs to Me’ makes a difficult discussion easier.
Unfortunately, parents often avoid this conversation until it is too
late. By saying nothing
to our children, we are sending them out there defenseless,” said
Starishevsky. Parents and educators need to start taking measures to
protect children before they are hurt. This book offers one of the
most important lessons we need to share with our children. As licensed
family and child therapist Kimberley Clayton Blaine notes, “Prevention
is key when it comes to children’s personal safety. Kudos to Ms.
Starishevsky for taking on this project.”
Ms. Starishevsky has dedicated her career to seeking
justice for victims of child abuse and sex crimes. Outside the
courtroom, her fondness for writing led her to create thepoemlady.com,
where she pens personalized pieces. Her mission to protect children,
along with her penchant for poetry, inspired “My Body Belongs to Me”.
Starishevsky is also founder of HowsMyNanny.com,
a service that enables parents to purchase a license plate for their
child’s stroller so the public can report positive or negative nanny
observations. Ms. Starishevsky has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN International, Donny Deutsch’s The Big Idea and Fox News
National among other news programs. Utilizing this platform, Ms.
Starishevsky hopes to globally spread awareness about child sexual
abuse prevention to ultimately stop the silence.
“My Body Belongs to Me” is available for online purchase through
www.MyBodyBelongstoMe.com
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Communication 
