Urges American Academy of Pediatrics and New Jersey Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics to issue guidance for pediatricians and family doctors on discussing personal space and privacy with children.

This Assembly Resolution (AR 41) urges the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its New Jersey Chapter to develop guidance for pediatricians and family doctors on discussing personal space and privacy with children in age-appropriate ways. It specifically addresses the need for resources to help providers educate children and parents about recognizing and responding to inappropriate touching, citing that child sexual abuse affects 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 8 boys in New Jersey. The resolution does not create new laws but requests the AAP create materials to support these conversations, aiming to potentially reduce child sexual abuse by improving preventative education. This guidance would directly support healthcare providers in delivering consistent, developmentally appropriate discussions during routine pediatric visits.