KnowGO: Teaching Kids to Spot Sexual Grooming Before Abuse Ever Begins
KnowGO is a fully animated safety education program for grades 1–5, now reaching 50,000+ students across California. The mission is simple and urgent: help children recognize the earliest signs of grooming and unsafe behavior—before abuse begins.
By blending gut-instinct education with animated storytelling and hands-on activities, KnowGO gives kids the language, tools, and confidence to notice red flags early and respond with clarity. Instead of waiting for disclosures after harm, KnowGO prioritizes prevention, shifting classrooms from reactive to proactive.
How It Works: Watch • Think • Talk • Act 🎬
KnowGO includes four topic modules, each offered in 30- or 50-minute versions: Touch, Secrets, Separation, and Digital.
Every module teaches GO vs. KnowGO feelings in context—then uses a series of eight short animations that follow a consistent two-part arc:
Part 1: The Setup (short, age-appropriate scene)
Example (Touch): Skedaddle, the animated mascot, gets a ride home when his mom can’t make it. During the drive, a coach starts rubbing his back.
Class Vote: “GO” or “KnowGO”?
At the gray-area moment, the video pauses. The teacher asks, “Is this a GO or a KnowGO?” Students hold up signs to vote—tuning into their gut and taking part as active decision-makers.
Part 2: The Reveal
Skedaddle reflects on body cues—tight stomach, fast heartbeat—checks in with his gut, and names the situation a KnowGO. This reinforces that internal warning signals are real and should be trusted.
After each animation, students move into a teacher-guided slide deck that unpacks what happened and why it felt off. They discuss what Skedaddle could do next—and what they would do in a similar situation.
Play-Based Learning That Sticks 🎲
Each module also includes:
A group activity (e.g., Q&A movement game, board game, quiz-show format, or scenario cards)
An individual creative activity sheet that can be taken home
Additional Credits:
Suzanne Evangeline Nason (Creator, Designer, Illustrator)
Chris Hermans (Animator)
Jesse Weaver (Animation Voiceover)
Heidi Cisneros (Content Co-Creator)
