Book Review
A short overview of this book
Gary just didn’t know the rules by Holly-ann Martin is a book that will help parents to talk to their child about child-on-child sexual abuse.
The only book that I know of that will help parents to talk with their kids about the fact that children shouldn’t be doing sexual stuff with other kids. It may be your child who has been touched by another child, or an incident that happened to someone you know. This book provides a very gentle (but informative) approach to empowering kids with the knowledge to stay safe and what to do if another child behaves inappropriately.
The author will give you the language to be able to have these discussions with your own child. The incidence of child-on-child sex is increasing due to the increased exposure of kids to porn at an age where they are too young to understand what they are seeing, which means they may then act out what they saw with another child in their play.
Such an important book that helps parents to talk about ‘yucky stuff’ in a nice way that won’t scare your child.
Video Transcription
A transcription in case you are more of a reader than a listener
Hey there! I’m Cath Hak from Sex Ed Rescue, and I’ve got some exciting news to share with you today. There’s a new book out called Gary Just Didn’t Know The Rules by Holly-ann Martin, and I wanted to give you the lowdown on it.
Now, Holly-ann isn’t your typical author. She’s actually an expert in protective behaviors, which is a different area from mine. But let me tell you, she’s the go-to person for me when I have questions about PV, and I’m her resource when it comes to sex-related issues. It’s a great partnership because we don’t have to be experts in everything!
So, let’s dive into the book. Holly-ann runs a PB training workshop business called Safe for Kids, and she’s all about creating resources based on real-life situations. You see, she works with kids who may have experienced child-on-child sexual behavior or have been exposed to explicit content online. It’s a growing concern, especially with kids having more unsupervised internet access these days.
The book starts off with a new student named Gary joining a classroom. They talk about important life rules, human rights, and the right to be safe. Holly-ann’s books are unique because they’re based on her clinical practice and real conversations with people. You can tell she knows her stuff and speaks from experience.
Now, I know the topic of child-to-child sexual behavior can be uncomfortable for parents. But Holly-ann handles it with care and presents it in a gentle way. She doesn’t go into explicit details, but there’s additional information at the back of the book if you want to learn more.
Throughout the story, Holly-ann covers important topics like public and private spaces, understanding our bodies, and the laws that protect us. She even addresses the issue of private pictures or movies and emphasizes the importance of consent.
One thing I really appreciate about Holly-ann’s approach is how she talks about early warning signs. It’s crucial for kids to know that if something happens, they can speak up and be believed. She reassures them that it’s not their fault and that she’ll do everything she can to keep them safe.
Let me tell you, this book is a game-changer. It’s the only one I know of that tackles this sensitive topic head-on. Holly-ann isn’t in it for the money; she genuinely wants to help parents, teachers, and professionals navigate these difficult conversations. Her resources are invaluable for educators, social workers, and counselors too.
I’m so grateful that Holly-ann is creating these much-needed resources and giving us the language to talk to our children about these important issues. Tonight, I’m going to read Gary Just Didn’t Know The Rules to my eight-year-old and see what he thinks. I’m excited to start this conversation with him.
So, if you’re looking for a fantastic resource to help you broach the topic of child-to-child sexual behavior, I highly recommend checking out Holly-ann’s book. It’s a wonderful tool that can make a real difference in keeping our kids safe.
I hope this review has been helpful. Cheers!
