You might be tempted to turn off the TV and radio these days.

You may find yourself redirecting conversations about sexual abuse that include Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno or Penn State. You might find it easier to change the subject when another sexual harassment allegation arises against Herman Cain.

But these are exactly the times when we should stop what we’re doing, sit down, look our kids in the eye, and answer every single one of their questions.

Not answering these questions is dangerous and reinforces the idea that sexual abuse and harassment are embarrassing secrets that kids shouldn’t talk about.

In fact, one way to reduce abuse and harassment is to talk to children and teens openly about ways people use sex to hurt others.

Safety is a topic about which every parent should talk with their children. Kim Estes of Savvy Parents Safe Kids specializes in doing this without scare tactics. For her Super 10 Rules for Safety, go to savvyparentssafekids.com. These rules include great messages for parents to reinforce with their children, like “I am special and I have the right to be safe at all times,” “My bathing suit areas are private,” and “I always pay attention to my own inner voice, especially that ‘uh-oh’ feeling.”

Whether or not Jerry Sandusky is found guilty, it’s important for children to know that it’s not OK for adults to touch children’s genitalia (see above: my bathing suit areas are private). Exceptions to this are few: a doctor doing an exam, or a caregiver helping a child go to the bathroom or bathe.  Help young people identify who they can talk to if they feel that feeling in their stomach; you know, the one we all feel when we know something just isn’t right.

If your child asks, let him or her know that grown-ups are working to help those children who were hurt in the Penn State scandal. It doesn’t help anyone to make jokes about it, or pretend it didn’t happen, or canonize people who knew abuse was happening and didn’t do everything they could to stop it. The important message to give children now is that grown-ups are working to help the children who were hurt.

Whatever comes of the Herman Cain scandal, it’s a great opportunity for a refresher on what constitutes sexual harassment.

When you talk about it with young people, be sure to include what to do if it happens to them. Sexual harassment can include, but is not limited to, making gestures or comments of a sexual nature, spreading rumors, sexting (sending a text message with explicit words or pictures), unwanted touching, offers or requests for sexual favors and more.

“I was just kidding” or “everybody does it” are not valid excuses for these behaviors. There are too many conflicting and confusing images of all kinds of sexual behavior in “reality” and other TV shows. Parents, educators and adults need to teach and remind teens on a regular basis about what is OK, and not OK, in the real world. Students need to know they can say, “Stop it!” and be heard if they are harassed. They should be able to count on peers to support them. They also need to know to whom they can go in school to get help if harassment doesn’t stop.

All young men and women deserve to be safe from unwanted touch, gestures, comments and rumors. No one deserves to be harassed, coerced or assaulted. Whether or not you turn off the radio or TV, take time to make these stories teachable moments about sexual safety for everyone.