6: Protecting Kids Through Prevention, What Every Parent Should Know About Child Sexual Abuse with Dr. Bronwen Carroll and Kristen McNeely

Protecting Kids Through Prevention, What Every Parent Should Know About Child Sexual Abuse with Dr. Bronwen Carroll and Kristen McNeely

Robyn talks with Dr. Bronwen Carroll, MD, and Kristen McNeely about childhood sexual abuse prevention, recognizing grooming behaviors, and creating the kind of open communication that helps keep children safe.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Bronwen Carroll, pediatric emergency medicine physician and child sexual abuse prevention advocate, along with returning guest Kristen McNeely, for a conversation about a topic that many parents find difficult to discuss but cannot afford to ignore. We talk about childhood sexual abuse prevention, the misconceptions that often surround it, and what parents can do to create safer environments for their children.

Dr. Bronwen Carroll shares how her advocacy work began and why she believes prevention needs to become a much larger part of the conversation. We discuss the reality that most children who experience abuse are harmed by someone they know, not by strangers. This challenges many of the messages parents grew up hearing and highlights the importance of understanding behaviors rather than relying on assumptions about who can be trusted.

Throughout the episode, we explore grooming behaviors, secrecy, boundary violations, and the subtle ways predators often gain access to children. Dr. Bronwen Carroll explains why open communication is one of the most powerful tools parents have and how creating a safe, nonjudgmental environment can make it easier for children to share uncomfortable experiences. We also talk about the importance of teaching body safety, helping children understand boundaries, and giving them language to communicate when something does not feel right.

One of the most important themes in this conversation is empowerment. Rather than approaching these topics from fear, Dr. Bronwen Carroll encourages parents to focus on awareness, preparation, and connection. We discuss how small, ongoing conversations can be far more effective than a single uncomfortable talk and why parents do not have to be perfect to make a meaningful difference.

By the end of this episode, I hope parents feel more informed, more confident, and better equipped to have conversations that can help protect their children. These discussions may feel uncomfortable, but they are an important part of creating safer communities and supporting healthy, open communication within families.

Shared Resources: 

• Dr. Bronwen Carroll’s Website
• Follow Dr. Bronwen Carroll on Instagram @bronwencarrollmd
• Dr. Bronwen Carroll’s upcoming book We Need To Be Talking About This
• Kristen McNeely’s Website
• Follow Kristen on Instagram @childhood.empowered
• Follow Robyn on Instagram @parentingtheanxiouschild 
• Parenting the Anxious Child Membership
• Sign up for Robyn’s Newsletter and find additional resources