Child Sexual Abuse
Recent stories in the news
have many of us on red alert for any sexual abuse in our own communities. Certainly, the health and wellbeing of our
children is always a top concern.
It’s disturbing to think about, but many children and young adults are
sexually abused within environments we all think are safe, and many times by
the very people they trust. It can
happen in schools, churches, community organizations, or any other place where
an offender sees they can establish a relationship with a victim.
Sex abuse victims are often hesitant to report the crime of sexual abuse
and assault or sexual exploitation out of a sense of shame. After an assault, young victims are often
confused about what to do. Many teenagers and young children are scared and
feel alone. Parents may trust the perpetrator and sometimes children are told
that their parents won’t believe them if they tell. This is the start of how
sexual abuse becomes a secret. Predators groom children to trust them, and then
they attack.
So what can we do? First, we all
have to commit to reporting any reports or suspicions to law enforcement. Although we may be hesitant to do so, our
police and sheriff’s departments are better trained to investigate and analyze
the situation. Many cases get worse
simply because we fail to report early suspicions.
Next, we need to educate and teach our children at a young age about
healthy, positive relationships with adults.
We also need to make sure our children understand what sexual abuse is
and let them know we support and believe them. This needs to start at a very young age and
should be a continuing conversation.
The most important preventative measure is good parent/child
relationships and non-judgmental open communication. Evidence shows that
many child victims' lack of good parental relationships made them
vulnerable to the interest shown by an adult who later becomes their
abuser.
It is Important to know your children's teachers, coaches, friends'
parents and older siblings, etc. Ask questions and listen and observe without
becoming a helicopter parent. Be involved.
Use your intuition and train your children to do the same. Things that “just
do not seem right" should always be discussed with parents.
We simply cannot risk, or tolerate, the tremendous damage that can be
done to our young people. Child Sexual Abuse is not something that is easily
overcome. Victims often become perpetrators themselves as adults. We must
prevent the abuse to stop the cycle.
