Every Body Talk, is designed as an introduction to age-appropriate conversations about body safety, child abuse prevention, and ultimately sexual assault prevention. A tool for caregivers, the book will guide adults to have conversations with children that will accomplish the first step in ensuring child safety. Thus enabling the child to discuss anything of concern when it comes to themselves and their body. Every Body Talk was developed by the Erin Levitas Foundation.

“Our work centers around the fact that early education is the key to preventing sexual assault. What better way to reach young children than a children’s book? It makes the topics easy to understand and brings everything down to their level,” said Marissa Jachman, executive director, Erin Levitas Foundation and co-author of Every Body Talk. “We hope children will grow up feeling comfortable having conversations about their bodies and boundaries with a trusted adult.”

Book Topics
The book covers topics such as body parts, healthy boundaries, hygiene, safe play and finding a trusted adult if a child feels scared, unsure, or needs help, all while ensuring gender norms are represented in healthy ways. The book’s illustrations help make the topics easy to understand while depicting children of many races, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and family units taking part in a wide variety of activities.

To develop the age-appropriate language that addresses the book’s sensitive issues, the Foundation worked with a variety of experts and consultants. Racial equity consultant and gender violence experts, teachers, a therapist, representatives from Lifebridge Health’s Center for Hope, librarians, individuals with disabilities, a disability rights activist, and parents were included in discussions.