10 Things Every Parent Must Tell Their Daughter to Stay Safe and Strong

1. Trust Your Instincts: Teach your daughter to always listen to her gut feelings. If something or someone makes her uncomfortable, she should trust that feeling and remove herself from the situation.

2. Carry Self-Protection Tools: Encourage your daughter to always keep self-defense tools like pepper spray, a personal alarm, or safety apps on her phone. These can be lifesaving in situations where she may need to protect herself or call for help quickly.

3. Learn Basic Self-Defense: Enroll her in a self-defense class so she can protect herself if the need arises. Knowledge of even basic techniques can give her the confidence to act in a threatening situation.

4. Know Your Surroundings: Remind her to always be aware of her environment, especially when alone. Being alert can help her avoid potentially dangerous situations.

5. Set Firm Boundaries: Teach her the importance of setting clear boundaries with everyone, including friends and family. She has the right to say no at any time.

6. Stay Connected with Family and Friends: Encourage regular check-ins when she’s out. This ensures that someone always knows where she is and can act quickly if she’s in danger.

7. Speak Up Without Fear: Encourage her to voice her concerns or discomfort, no matter the situation. Whether it's with a stranger or someone she knows, her voice is powerful and should be used to protect herself.

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Seek Help: Let her know that she can always come to you or another trusted adult if she feels threatened or uncomfortable. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

9. Educate About Consent: Make sure she understands that her body is her own, and no one has the right to touch her without her explicit consent. Also, teach her to respect others' boundaries.

10. Know Emergency Contacts: Ensure she memorizes important phone numbers and knows how to quickly reach out in an emergency. Having a plan in place can be crucial in a dangerous situation.