Summer is a time of sunshine, freedom, and exploration. It’s when kids get to be kids—staying up late at sleepovers, diving into sports teams, and heading off to summer camps full of adventure and new friendships.
But for many families—especially those raising or supporting survivors of abuse—summer can be a season filled with questions and unease.
Who’s supervising my child at that sleepover?
Has this coach or camp counselor been background-checked?
What if something happens and my child doesn’t tell me?
As a survivor, an advocate, and someone who has worked with hundreds of families, I can tell you this: your gut is your greatest parenting tool. If something feels off, it probably is. And if you’re wondering whether it’s okay to ask more questions about where your child is going and who they’re with—the answer is always yes.
Let’s break down some of the biggest summer risks and give you practical, trauma-informed tools to keep kids safe, confident, and supported.
The Reality of Summer Risks
Summer is when children and teens often have the most unsupervised time and the least oversight. Unfortunately, it’s also when predators know to strike. According to the U.S. Department of Justice:
- Children are more likely to be sexually abused by someone they know—a family member, coach, babysitter, or family friend—than by a stranger.
- Abuse often occurs during unstructured or overnight time—exactly what happens at sleepovers, camps, and during team travel.
That doesn’t mean you should cancel your child’s summer plans. It means you need to be prepared, informed, and empowered to ask questions that prioritize your child’s safety—no matter how awkward it might feel.
Sleepovers: Pause, Prepare, and Protect
Sleepovers can be joyful, bonding experiences—or they can be environments where abuse or bullying happens behind closed doors. Before you send your child to a sleepover:
1. Ask the Hard Questions
You’re not being overprotective—you’re being responsible. Ask:
- Who will be home all night?
- Where will the children be sleeping?
- Will older siblings or other guests be present?
- Are the bedroom doors kept open or closed?
- Does your child have a device they can communicate with you?
If any adult hesitates or acts offended by your questions, that’s a red flag.
2. Create a Safe Exit Plan
Give your child a phrase or signal they can use if they want to leave:
- “My stomach hurts” or “I’m not feeling well” should be enough for you to pick them up without question or punishment.
Make sure they know: You will always come get them. No matter what.
3. Consider Alternatives
If sleepovers don’t feel right for your child or your family, that’s okay. Offer alternatives like a late-night movie night with pick-up before bedtime, or a “sleep-under” party that ends before it gets dark.
Sports: Vigilance, Not Fear
We send kids to sports to learn teamwork, discipline, and confidence. But we’ve also seen heartbreaking headlines about coaches who use their position of power to exploit and harm.
1. Know the Policies
Ask your child’s sports organization:
- Do you have a code of conduct for coaches?
- What’s your policy on one-on-one interactions with athletes?
- Are all coaches and volunteers background-checked and trained in child safety?
- Are there locker rooms and if so what is the policy around who is there and when?
If a coach regularly texts your child, tries to drives them alone, or discourages parental involvement, take that seriously. These are all red flags. Power imbalances can be dangerous.
2. Normalize Open Communication
After games or practices, casually ask:
- “How did it go today?”
- “Did anything weird or uncomfortable happen?”
- “Is there anything you want to talk about?”
These questions let your child know that nothing is off-limits—and that you’re a safe place to land.
Summer Camp: Vet Before You Trust
Whether it’s day camp or overnight camp, these environments place a lot of trust in adults you don’t know personally. Be thorough and unapologetic about vetting the experience.
1. Look for Accreditation
Choose camps that are accredited by organizations like the American Camp Association, which require strict safety standards.
2. Ask the Right Questions
- What is your camper-to-staff ratio?
- Are staff trained in child abuse prevention and reporting?
- How do you handle behavioral issues, discipline, and conflict between campers?
- Are there ever unsupervised times or one-on-one interactions?
- Where do children change if there is a pool? Who is allowed in that space?
You have a right to see policies in writing. Go over these policies with your child so they also know the rules. Transparency should never be optional.
3. Prep Your Child
Talk through camp scenarios before they go:
- “What would you do if someone tried to touch you inappropriately?”
- “Do you know what is inappropriate touch?”
- “If another camper made you uncomfortable, who could you tell?”
- “If you wanted to come home, how would you let me know?”
Reinforce that they never have to endure something that doesn’t feel right.
Special Considerations for Survivors
If your child is a survivor of abuse, summer experiences may trigger flashbacks, anxiety, or behavioral regressions. Here’s how to support them:
- Talk about boundaries and body autonomy every time they enter a new setting.
- Let them opt out of activities that feel too overwhelming or unsafe.
- Work with trauma-informed therapists or counselors to prepare them for summer transitions.
- Trust their no. If they don’t want to go to camp or a sleepover, honor that. Their comfort comes first.
It’s Not About Fear. It’s About Empowerment.
I’m not here to scare you. I’m here to arm you. To help you lean into your protective instincts and speak up, even when it’s uncomfortable. Because your voice—your advocacy—might be the exact thing that keeps your child safe.
Let’s create a culture where background checks are expected, where talking about consent is normal, and where survivors know they’ll be believed and supported.
And if something has already happened—if your child has experienced abuse and you’re unsure where to turn—please know that you are not alone. You have options. You have power. And legal justice is possible.
At Andreozzi + Foote, We Stand with Survivors and Families
Our firm represents survivors of child sexual abuse in civil lawsuits across the country. We hold institutions accountable—schools, camps, churches, athletic programs—any place that enabled or ignored abuse. If you need help understanding your rights or your child’s rights, we’re here.
Because no family should carry this burden alone.
Resources for Families
- RAINN.org – National support for survivors of sexual abuse
- Darkness to Light – Child abuse prevention and education
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD
Your child’s safety is never an overreaction. It’s your job—and your right—to ask questions, create boundaries, and speak up. This summer, let’s protect their innocence, empower their voice, and give them the carefree joy they so deeply deserve.
