STOP SEXUAL ABUSE

coogirlcc

,South Africa

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WHAT TO DO Take the child seriously. Many children who report sexual abuse are not believed, and when a plea for help is ignored, the child may not risk telling again. If the abuser is a family member, parents often try take care of the matter themselves, this is most times unsuccessful.. Report the abuse to a local Child Protective Services

WARNING SIGNS When a child: # Has difficulty walking or sitting # Suddenly refuses to change for gym class or refuses to take part in physical activities # Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior # Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under 14 years old # Runs away

when a parent: # Shows an extreme protection toward the child, to the extent where the child cannot have contact with other children, especially with children of the opposite sex # Is secretive and isolated # Describes marital problems involving family power struggles or sexual relations What To Do The American Academy of Pediatrics says that the first important action to take if a child tells you about sexual abuse is to take what the child says seriously. Many children who report sexual abuse are not believed, and when a plea for help is ignored, the child may not risk telling again. If the abuser is a friend or family member, parents will often try to stop sexual abuse themselves, but the AAP reports that a parental intervention is almost always unsuccessful. Instead, they recommend reporting abuse to a local Child Protective Services, and also asking for crisis support help. Also, discussing the problem with the child's pediatrician, who can offer support and counseling, can help. After sexual abuse is reported, what happens depends on the circumstances of the case. The risk of further abuse to the child is the first concern for authorities. The offender and the entire family may be required to attend a treatment program, and the offender may even face criminal charges. If the child's safety is in question, authorities can take the offender or victim out of the home during the investigation. In order to prevent sexual abuse, the AAP suggests teaching children what sexual abuse is. Tell them they can and should say "no" or "stop" to adults who may threaten them sexually. Make sure they know that it's okay to talk about any attempt to molest them - no matter whom the offender may be. The AAP also suggests that prevention measures should begin early since a number of child abuse cases involve preschoolers. They offer these guidelines for age-appropriate topics to discuss with children. Age: # 18 months: Teach your child the proper names for body parts. # 3-5 years: Teach your child about "private parts" of the body and how to say "no" to sexual advances. # 5-8 years: Discuss safety away from home and the difference between being touched in private parts of the body and other touching. Encourage your child to talk about scary experiences. # 8-12 years: Stress personal safety and give examples of potential problem areas: arcades, malls, locker rooms, out-of-the-way places outdoors. # 13-18 years: Re-stress personal safety and potential problem areas. Discuss rape, "date rape," STDs and unintended pregnancy.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER REPORTING THE ABUSE This depends on the case but the risk of further abuse to the child is the first concern for authorities. The offender and the entire family may be required to attend a treatment program, and the offender may even face criminal charges. If the child's safety is in question, authorities can take the offender or victim out of the home during the investigation.

HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING 2 YR Teaching children what sexual abuse is. Tell them they can and should say "no" or "stop" to adults who may threaten them sexually. Make sure they know that it's okay to talk about any attempt to molest them - no matter whom the offender may be.

GUIDELINES # 18 months+: Teach your child the proper names for body parts. # 3-5 years: Teach your child about "private parts" of the body and how to say "no" to sexual advances. # 5-8 years: Discuss safety away from home and the difference between being touched in private parts of the body and other touching. Encourage your child to talk about scary experiences. # 8-12 years: Stress personal safety and give examples of potential problem areas: arcades, malls, locker rooms, out-of-the-way places outdoors. # 13-18 years: Re-stress personal safety and potential problem areas. Discuss rape, "date rape," STDs and unintended pregnancy.

# 8-12 years: Stress personal safety and give examples of potential problem areas: arcades, malls, locker rooms, out-of-the-way places outdoors. # 13-18 years: Re-stress personal safety and potential problem areas. Discuss rape, "date rape," STDs and unintended pregnancy.

Another sign of abuse on young children are burns. Some may be in the shape of a cigarette butt, while others may be in the shape of a curling iron. If an infant has pain in their leg, but they are not yet walking, that is another sign of possible abuse. Some young children that are being abused do not want to be near their abuser. They may show fear whenever the abusive parent tries to go near them. They might also be cautious and withdrawn. If a child that normally eats well suddenly has lost their appetite, that is something to be aware of. Granted, it may be because they are sick, but it could also be a sign of abuse, especially when coupled with another sign of abuse. The child that begins to regress in their behavior may also be a victim of abuse. For instance, a three-year-old toddler may begin to act younger than they are. A good example is that the toddler that has never sucked their thumb may begin doing so. They may begin to act more babyish. These are all possible signs of abuse occurring. Once you know where the injuries are, or you suspect that there is an injury, you can then call the child protective services in your community to alert them of your findings.

WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE IN YOUNGER CHILDREN: Unusual red marks or welts will appear on the child’s body. There may also be welts or bruises in the shape of an object, such as a hanger or a belt. These types of signs definitely alert us to the fact that there is something wrong. Welts or bruises, especially in parts of the body that are covered or hidden, are not something that the child gets simply by playing. There is also the sign of continuous bruising on the little one Young children, such as toddlers, can get bruising on their shins from a fall when learning to walk or run. However, continuous bruising, in hidden areas or covered areas, is a sign of abuse. Another sign of abuse on young children are burns. Some may be in the shape of a cigarette butt, while others may be in the shape of a curling iron. If an infant has pain in their leg, but they are not yet walking, that is another sign of possible abuse. Some young children that are being abused do not want to be near their abuser. They may show fear whenever the abusive parent tries to go near them. They might also be cautious and withdrawn. If a child that normally eats well suddenly has lost their appetite, that is something to be aware of. Granted, it may be because they are sick, but it could also be a sign of abuse, especially when coupled with another sign of abuse. The child that begins to regress in their behavior may also be a victim of abuse. For instance, a three-year-old toddler may begin to act younger than they are. A good example is that the toddler that has never sucked their thumb may begin doing so. They may begin to act more babyish. These are all possible signs of abuse occurring. Once you know where the injuries are, or you suspect that there is an injury, you can then call the child protective services in your community to alert them of your findings.

WHY CHILDREN DON'T TELL: “He told me if I told, he wouldn’t be the only one who would get in trouble.” -a 6-year-old “He said if I didn’t do it, he’d do it to my sister.” -a 12-year-old “He beat me before and I know if I told, he’d do it again.” -a 14-year-old “I didn’t tell anyone cause I didn’t like talking about it” -a 10-year-old “Daddy said it was a personal thing, so I didn’t tell.” -a 10-year-old “Once I told my mother and she didn’t do anything. She didn’t even say anything to him.” -a 15-year-old

NEED HELP? Childhelp USA National 1-800-422-4453 Childline UK 0800 11 11 LifeLine SA 0861-322-322

DO SOMETHING start a petition sign a petition browse petitions

STOP SEXUAL ABUSE - NOW

Images

- chld abuse
- bobby3
- childlineSA
- lifeline
- EcJ

Comments:

katrynnie added this comment 2008-10-10 18:18:52-05:00

Wow, such a powerful message! Good for you for doing this to bring this to everyone's attention.

squirrelygurl added this comment 2008-10-10 17:09:36-05:00

wow you are a good person for making this, more people need to be educated on this and the signs to catch it and how to help. ive had a lot of experience with this as ive worked with children now for a number of years and sometimes its easy to pick out the ones that have had this horribleness happen to them and then you can help but other times they hide it for the some of the reasons you have listed up there. its just really hard for them... so sad anyway, awesome glog, 5 stars and definitely alerting.

katiekatmacias added this comment 2008-10-10 16:52:05-05:00

I agree with RubyLips...GR8!!!

gopal added this comment 2008-10-14 05:10:07-05:00

This malaise has to be stopped. We must report cases of child abuse to the National Human Rights Organisations, and to the Police of our respective counties,and also be prepared to prosecute the offender, even if the parents are not.

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STOP SEXUAL ABUSE

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