Child abuse cases make the news time and time again, and the suspects are sometimes people the victim knew.

What can parents do when the biggest "stranger danger" doesn't come from a stranger at all?

Paulette Norman knows danger can live right next door. Her 11-year-old son was killed by a neighbor everyone lovingly called "Uncle Hilty."

"They want to present at times as a savior to that family, that 'I can help your child,'" Norman said.

Psychotherapist Samantha Rushing said when a victimizer is not a stranger but someone parents trust and even like, it makes it harder for a child to speak up. She said that the best offense is a good defense.

"It is the same idea as Uncle Joe or a neighbor that everybody loves -- there can be a lot of shame around calling somebody out, saying that somebody made me feel uncomfortable," Rushing said. "It is really important as adults that we help our children know that their body belongs to them and nobody has a right to be in their space."

Rushing said that lesson can begin as early as 3 years old.

"You don't force the child to give the hug. You say that you are happy that they said what they needed and didn't want," she said.

Have a code word that can be said or sent by text that means they want out of a situation, and that mom or dad will be the excuse.

Rushing said that being polite can keep a child silent in a bad situation.

"When you hear words like that, your job as a parent is simply to be curious about that. Don't react with panic and don't assume the worst," Rushing said.

She said that parents should make sure children understand no matter how much you like or even love a person, the child's feelings and safety are more important than any relationship.