This was such an informative book and the layout of it made it easy to read, as well as the choice of writing it in a less clinical/textbook sense. I appreciate that so much as it would give more people a chance to take in the information and use it properly. Amazing job.

What an incredible and important read for any parent or caregiver wanting to protect children from potential predators. Thinking about this happening to my own kids makes me sick to my stomach but it makes the topic all the more important. The author draws from her background and offers straightforward advice and practical tips to help navigate this sensitive subject. This type of approach makes it really easy to understand and apply.

This is a must-have resource for anyone serious about child safety and I'm definitely recommending it to all my parent friends.

I’m writing this review so more parents know this book exists. It’s a short, easy read and I finished it in less than an hour. It is a great resource for parents to help their child(ren) not become victims of sexual abuse. It has tips, guides, exercises, and checklists that you can use to navigate a tough but important subject matter with your kid(s). A must read, in my opinion.

this book is an easy to understand and easy to follow guide on how to prioritize communication in order to prevent childhood sexual abuse. the author absolutely does not talk down to the reader here. rather, the author pulls up a chair beside you, ready to talk, ready to empower.

the instructions in here are simple and effective. the tone is serious but not at all unapproachable. talk to your kids about the topic. secrecy and shame only aid abusers. parents with kids of any age, but especially younger ones, should download this free ebook and take the half an hour out of their day to read it. be brave and talk to your kids about sexual abuse, so that they will feel brave to say “NO” when it matters. this book will tell you how to do this.

This is an essential educational book for parents on how to protect children from predators.
It is very short, easy to read and to the point, listing knowledge to share and conversations you should have with your children, no matter the age.
The statistics are horrifying and knowledge is key.
A very important book.

An excellent primer on protecting children from predators. This is a pretty short book, takes maybe 30 minutes to read. It gives very direct information and examples of conversations to have with children to make them cognizant of possible dangers. I do wish there was more information, but it's very straightforward and a great starting point for a complex topic. The examples are very easy to follow and children will be able to understand warning signs and what to do if something happens to them.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I thought this book provided solid information about preventing child sexual abuse. However, I think It’s important to note that is was lacking in a few areas. Not every child is safe in their family of origin and that’s important to address.

Prevention is complicated and complex and one book just isn’t enough to dig into the nuances.

It’s a solid start to the conversation.

Not My Kid! tackles one of the most urgent and under-discussed topics in parenting: how to protect children from sexual abuse. Denise Sensiba approaches this difficult subject with clarity, compassion, and a firm belief that prevention starts with education. As a parent, I found the book both accessible and essential—a much-needed starter guide for those unsure where or how to begin this conversation with their children.

The strength of Not My Kid! lies in its straightforward, non-alarmist tone. Sensiba does an excellent job breaking down a complex and emotionally charged issue into manageable steps. From teaching body autonomy to recognising grooming behaviours, the book offers practical strategies that caregivers can start using immediately. It’s brief enough to read in one sitting, but its impact lingers, especially considering the sobering statistics on child sexual abuse.

That said, I was troubled by moments where the language reinforces a blanket assumption that children are always safe with their parents. For example, the author suggests that children should be taught “No one should touch it [their private parts]-unless someone like Mommy or Daddy says it's ok.” While likely well-intentioned, this framing is problematic. It overlooks the heartbreaking reality that some parents are, themselves, perpetrators of abuse. Any prevention guide must take care to avoid reinforcing the idea that all parental authority is inherently safe, because, sadly, that’s not always the case.

Overall, Not My Kid! is a valuable resource for parents and caregivers who want to take proactive steps in protecting children. It may not be exhaustive, but as a conversation-starter and awareness-builder, it absolutely has its place on the parenting shelf. Just read it with a critical mind—and be ready to supplement it with more inclusive discussions.

A powerful, no-nonsense guide every parent needs in their toolbox.

In Not My Kid!, S.T. Ashman, a former psychotherapist delivers a clear, compassionate, and courageously unflinching resource for caregivers determined to protect their children from sexual abuse. Drawing on years of firsthand experience working with both survivors and offenders, Ashman breaks through the discomfort and denial that often surround this topic with straight talk, actionable tools, and empowering advice.

This book isn’t about fear—it’s about prevention through education. From proper body terminology to boundary-setting and red flag behaviors, Ashman equips parents with the language and confidence to have age-appropriate, protective conversations early and often. Her message is simple but vital: “You're not just raising a child—you’re raising someone who knows their body belongs to them.”

This is not just a book—it’s a lifeline. Every parent, educator, and caregiver should read it.

Thank you to S.T. Ashman and Victory Editing for the opportunity to read an advance copy. This is one of the most important books I’ll recommend this year.

Dear author, how are you? I just finished reading your book and I'm very impressed. I'm a dedicated book promoter, specializing in creating eye-catching book covers, video content, and video game adaptations designed to captivate readers. I'd love to discuss how we can collaborate to increase your book's visibility and reach a wider audience. I'm sure you don't have a strategy in place to boost your engagement yet, which is why you're thinking about quitting writing, so let's talk more! Reach me here https://www.fiverr.com/s/Gz38DY2

“I won’t gamble with my children’s safety for the sake of fitting in or sparing someone’s feelings.” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 this is a very important book! every parent should read this!

Thoughts:
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an essential read from a former psychotherapist who has extensive experience with child sexual abuse in many forms. Ashman is able to highlight the importance of talking about this with children young in order to protect them and is able to give many examples and exercises to help parents start putting it in to practice.

Favourite Quote:
“There are good people in this world. Good families. Good men and women
But we have to stop pretending that child sexual abuse is rare.
It's not. And it's not always violent or obvious. It's subtle.
It's hidden in routines. In relationships. In plain sight And until we name it, we can't fight it.”

Thank you so much for this. It’s so useful and I will be recommending it to other mum friends. It is an essential read and explains things much better than I have when trying to explain about using correct body names etc. this is probably the most worthwhile 10-15 minutes a parent can spend reading.