Child sexual abuse is a harrowing and traumatic experience for victims, and a crime punishable by law.
The safety of children is the responsibility of adults. To protect minors from any form of sexual abuse, the organization informs parents of some precautions and steps:
1 KNOW THE FACTS AND THE REALITY.
Being informed about child sexual abuse helps protect children. Experts estimate that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys may become a victim of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
It is very likely that you know a child sexual abuser. The greatest risk to children does not come from strangers, but from their own family and friends. Some data proves it:
One in three children is abused by family members;
Abusers try to establish a trusting relationship with the parents of their victims and are often physically older and larger than their victims.
Abusers are frequently found in places that allow easy access to children such as the victim’s own home, sports clubs, schools, or religious centers.
2 YOU MUST KNOW WHO YOU LEAVE THE CHILD WITH AND WHAT THEY DO.
Learn to protect children. Most cases of child sexual abuse happen when a minor is alone with an adult.
The abuser often befriends his/her victim, gaining his/her trust, thus getting him/her alone time.
When you leave your child alone with another person, be it an adult or a teenager, make sure they can be observed.
Encourage situations where your child is integrated into groups.
Teach by example. Avoid, if possible, being alone with a minor who is not your child.
Monitor your child’s Internet use.
When you enroll your child in a sports activity, a camp or something similar, seek to know what kind of responsibility and preparation the monitors have in child care. If they are prepared to prevent, identify and react to possible sexual abuse of and of minors.
Talk to your child when he returns from an activity with adults. Pay attention to their mood and see if you can easily tell them how they spent the time.
Sexual abuse is any sexual activity with or without violence between an adult and a minor, or between two minors when one exerts power over the other. It is also forcing, coercing, or persuading a child to engage in any type of sexual activity.
It also includes sexual contact, but not direct contact such as indecent exposure, exposure of minors to pornographic material, voyeurism, or engaging in communication of a sexual nature over the telephone or the Internet.
3 TALK OPENLY ABOUT THE SUBJECT WITH YOUR CHILD. UNDERSTAND WHY CHILDREN ARE SCARED OF ‘COUNTING’.
The abuser often manipulates, threatens, and shames the child, accusing him of allowing the abuse to happen, or telling him that his parents will be angry if they find out.
Children do not disclose the abuse for fear of disappointing their parents.
The abuser convinces the child that the abuse is ‘okay’ that it is a ‘game’.
Talk to your children. Communication will build trust.
Talk to your children about their body, how to take care of it, defend it, etc. ‘My body is my territory and no one touches it without my permission’ should be a motto for boys and girls.
Instruct your children not to give out their email address, home address, phone number, etc.
If the child feels uncomfortable or reacts to being with a certain adult, ask why.
4 LEARN TO DETECT AND IDENTIFY THE INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE.
Physical signs of sexual abuse are rare, however irritation, swelling, or a rash in the genital area, urinary tract infection, or other symptoms should be carefully investigated.
Emotional or behavioral signs are more common, which can be identified by anxiety, chronic abdominal pain, constant headaches, perfectionist behavior, withdrawal or depression, even inexplicable anger and rebellion.
When the child talks openly about sex in an atypical way for his age, it can also be a red flag.
In the event that there is any suspicion of sexual abuse, take the child immediately to the doctor.
5 DO NOT REACT WITH EXAGGERATION TO A POSSIBLE CASE OF ABUSE. REPORT IT!
Your reaction has a great impact on a vulnerable child. If you respond with anger or disbelief, the child withdraws into himself, and he will feel even more guilty.
Always offer your support to the child. Listen to him, don’t doubt his word and believe what he tells you. Make sure he understands that. Thank the child for telling you and acknowledge their bravery.
Encourage the child to tell you everything, but not to go too deep into the details. That can alter your memories of the events.
Seek help and guidance from a professional trained to speak with the child. Seek to know the legal steps to report. You must know the bodies and/or institutions with the powers to report sexual abuse of a minor.
Don’t panic. Children, victims of sexual abuse who receive support and psychological help, can overcome it.
6 ALWAYS ACT, EVEN IF YOU ONLY HAVE SUSPICIONS AND DO NOT TEST.
The future well-being of a child is at risk. Suspicions and the lack of evidence can scare you, but trust your intuition and have the courage to report or inform a child protection service.
Look for your local social services, or an office that defends the rights of minors. The important thing is that you act.
7 BE A VOLUNTEER TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT FIGHT AGAINST CHILD MISTREATMENT AND SEXUAL ABUSE.
Use your voice and your vote to make your community a safer place for children.
Support legislation that protects children.
Break the silence. Prevention as well as recovery depends on it.
Share information about child sexual abuse.
This way, potential abusers will know that you are alert. The safety of children is the responsibility of adults.
Source: Guiainfantil.com
