Not in Room 204: Breaking the Silence of Abuse

When school begins a new year, their teacher, Mrs. Salvador, explains about her rules and how to treat each other with respect. This is a classroom where things are neat, and orderly and people do not eat each other's candy bars or have fights. Mrs. Salvador is very clear and very strong about all of this and the children understand their boundaries. Sometimes at home the boundaries are not so firm or so fair. Mrs. Salvador notices that one of her students is very quiet. She asks this girl, Regina, at conference time if she is this quiet at home. Then, one day Mrs. Salvador reads a a book about Stranger Danger and she tells the class that it is important to be aware of strangers but that most inappropriate touching takes place with a person the child does know. Could it happen to a child in this classroom? Yes, it is certainly possible. Mrs. Salvador explains that she would know exactly what to do if a child came to her and shared that she or he had been touched in their bathing suit areas. Early one morning, Regina walks to school in the rain to wait for Mrs. Salvador and tell her how someone at home has touched her in ways they shouldn't. Gentle and with clear lines about right and wrong to reassure any young child if they are living with this frightening and devastating abuse. 32 pages