THE BOUNDARIES: How to Teach Kids and Teens Consent, Body Autonomy, and Prevent Sexual Abuse

How do we equip kids and teens with the tools they need to protect themselves and build healthy relationships? What happens when we break the silence around consent, body autonomy, and sexual abuse prevention? Today, we’re confronting the myths and silences that leave young people vulnerable. Too often, survivors of childhood sexual abuse grow up without the language or support to process their trauma. Many never learn what consent truly means, or how to recognize and assert their own boundaries. Instead, shame and secrecy are passed down through generations, leaving children and teens to navigate relationships and intimacy without guidance. Lisa welcomes Logan Cooper, a licensed mental health counselor, trauma professional, and survivor, who draws on both her personal and professional experience to empower families. Logan and Lisa discuss the long-term impact of unprocessed childhood trauma, the dangerous myths about sex and consent that persist in families, schools, and media, and how parents and caregivers can start age-appropriate conversations about body autonomy—even with very young children. This episode offers practical strategies for teaching consent, recognizing the difference between safe surprises and unsafe secrets, and helping kids and teens build self-worth and confidence. Lisa and Logan explore how education, open dialogue, and modeling healthy boundaries can break cycles of shame and silence, giving the next generation the tools they need to stay safe and thrive. This conversation is for every parent, educator, and survivor who wants to create a world where children are empowered, informed, and protected. “From now on, I will listen to my body over what anybody else tells me about my body. I trust my body first.” Just a heads up: This episode contains discussions of sexual assault and coercive control. Some may find it upsetting. We encourage you to take care of yourself. About Logan Cooper: Logan Cooper is a Mental Health Counselor & a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional licensed in the state of Florida. Logan draws on her personal experiences of domestic violence and sexual trauma as well as her professional training to provide advocacy & empowerment to fellow survivors in therapy. Her practice focuses on creating a safe environment where clients can heal from feeling defined by their traumatic experiences, allowing them to rediscover their authentic selves and build the lives they deserve. Follow Logan  @CrookedCounselorCooper on TikTok & Instagram. To inquire about counseling services, contact Logan at [email protected].  Follow Lisa Phillips ⁠@iamlisaphillips⁠ on Instagram. From Now On is produced by LA PHILLIPS MEDIA. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Have a story to share with us? Email us at [email protected]. Join our movement and keep up to date on all things From Now On by following us @fromnowonpod on all socials. If today’s conversation resonated with you and you are seeking more support in your own healing journey, here are some resources below: If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) If you or someone you know is being trafficked, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Text 233733 (befree). PAVE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit creating a world free from sexual violence and building communities to support survivors. Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) is dedicated to providing a safe and empowering space for survivors of sex trafficking to reclaim their stories and stand up for themselves and each other.