Resources to teach body safety

Hi, everyone. I'm Yvonne Sewankambo, and I have a special story to share with you about a girl named Nour. She's just like you, but she's learning something really important: how to use her superhero voice.

Have you ever felt unsure or a little scared about something? Maybe something didn't feel right or made you feel uncomfortable. Well, Nour is learning how to use her superhero voice to talk about those things and asking all the people in her community to help her. Let's get started.

Nour smiles as Dad kicks the ball across the lawn. 

‘Now you try,’ he says, but Nour doesn't think she can. 

‘I wish I could be a superhero like you, Dad. Big, strong and brave.’ 

‘I think you can, Nour. Just start small.’ 

Nour takes a deep breath, then kicks the ball as hard as she can. Up, up, up it goes, past the big tree and into the fence. Nour jumps into Dad's arms and they squeal with delight, but she soon feels very dizzy when he throws her up just a bit too high. 

‘Are you okay?’ Dad asks. Nour nods her head, trying her best to be big, strong and brave, just like him. 

‘Can I tell you something?’ asks Dad. ‘Superheroes are strongest when they tell people how they feel on the inside, especially if someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.’ Nour frowns and wonders how superheroes could ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

At the park, Nour wonders about what Dad said as she builds a sandcastle with the Reyes twins. So she asks Lola and Lolo Reyes what they do when someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

‘I ask my council of elders to help right any wrongs in order to keep the peace,’ says Lolo Reyes. Nour finds this funny because no one is older than Lolo Reyes. ‘I pray for my protection and the protection of my loved ones,’ says Lola Reyes. 

Nour continues to wonder about what Dad said as she swings with her friend, Rawiri. So, she asks him what he does when someone makes him feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

‘My dad taught me how to say special words for protection. He said I should say them out loud because sound heals. Sometimes, I do a warrior dance to scare birds away. But if they're too big, I shout so my big brothers can come help me.’

At the community centre, Nour wonders about what Dad said as she helps the manager, Amrita, set up for the cultural festival. So, she asks her what she does when someone makes her feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

‘My mother tied this special bracelet around my wrist when I was little. It protects me from evil spirits. I touch it to give me strength whenever I need to speak up. Like the other day, when I saw someone damaging the gardens at the park and told the park ranger.’

At the bookshop, Nour wonders about what Dad said as she gets book recommendations from the shop owner, Aya. So, she asks her what she does when someone makes her feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

‘When I was moving to this country years ago, my aunt gave me her very special necklace. She knew I would need a piece of her to give me strength whenever my heart was heavy. Also, my husband and I reflect together every morning.’

At the convenience store, Nour wonders about what Dad said as she chats with her neighbour, Matteo, during his shift. So, she asks him what he does when someone makes him feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

‘Between some good food and support from my mother, nothing upsets me for long.’

At school, Nour wonders about what Dad said while she has lunch with her friends, Xuanjun, Namazzi and Siti. So, she asks them what they do when someone makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe. 

‘My dad always tells me to find my inner tiger and roar as loud as I can. It's a symbol of bravery,’ says Xuanjun. 

‘My mum says the same thing!’ exclaims Siti. 

‘I tell my mum and my big sister everything, especially when I don't feel good,’ says Namazzi. ‘My sister knows how to stand up to people who aren't very nice to me.’

On the field, Nour wonders about what Dad said while Coach Kirra thanks her and her classmates for a good soccer practice session. When Coach Kirra turns around, one of Nour's classmates shouts, 

‘Kisses to celebrate!’ But Nour doesn't want to celebrate with kisses. She tries to say something but can't get the words out. 

‘Are you okay, Nour?’ asks Coach Kirra. Nour nods her head, trying her best to be big, strong and brave, just like Dad. 

‘It's okay to say no to something that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. You could try doing what I do - let your connection to nature give you the strength you need. If you don't think you can or the person doesn't listen, tell a grown-up you trust and they can say no for you.’ 

Nour takes a deep breath, remembering everything her community has taught her. ‘It's my body and I say no!’ The other students stare in awe at the mighty Nour - big, strong and brave. 

At home, Nour no longer wonders about what Dad said as she tells her parents what happened. 

‘My voice was just as loud as yours, Dad, and I felt big, strong and brave.’ 

Nour takes a deep breath and channels her community once more. 

‘Dad, when you threw me up high the other day, I didn't like it very much.’ 

He is very proud of her for telling him how he really made her feel. 

Nour smiles as Mum ties a special bracelet around her wrist. ‘This will remind you to trust your feelings and make you even stronger, our Mighty Nour.’ 

‘And remember, even though you're now big, strong and brave, you can always tell us if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe,’ says Dad. And just like that, Nour's peace is restored.

And that is the end of My Superhero Voice. I hope this helps you feel like you too can be a superhero and speak to the trusted adults in your life if you ever feel uncomfortable. They can support you to feel safe.

For the adults watching with your little ones, talk to them about using their superhero voice whenever something doesn't feel right. Listen to what they say. Let them know it's okay to speak up and that they can always come to you for support. 

The My superhero voice storybook also has prompts at the end of the book to help you start these conversations with the children and the young people in your lives.

To download the book available in eleven languages or for more tips on how to have these conversations, visit childsafety.gov.au/translated.