The ongoing Penn State Scandal is a sad reminder about how ill-equipped we are as a society when it comes to responding to child sexual abuse.
Awareness & prevention are key. Child abusers seek out children who appear vulnerable. Teach your children, students, and clients about appropriate touch and how to say NO if someone tries to violate them. A great book to use when talking to children about sexual abuse and teaching them about the differences between good touch and bad touch is the |
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It is common for children to be embarrassed or afraid to report abuse that has happened to them. All adults have a responsibility to learn the signs of abuse and to be vigilant in protecting children. - Symptoms of Anxiety - unexplained sleep disturbances; showing a new or unusual fear of certain people, places or locations; and having unexplained periods of panic or alarm.
- Abnormal Sexual Behaviors or Symptoms - leaving 'clues' that appear to intentionally invite discussion of sexual issues, complaining of pain while using the toilet, resistance to removal of clothing at appropriate times, and asking an unusual amount of questions about human sexuality; using unusual or sophisticated sexual behavior or knowledge; secretiveness (mentioning things like “I have a secret I am not allowed to tell”); masturbation (specifically in inappropriate places and at inappropriate times); and the display of sexual molestation in games, drawings, and fantasy play.
- Changes in Personality or Mood - sleep problems or nightmares, depression or withdrawal from friends or family, unusual aggressiveness, behavioral extremes, intense fears, clinging, seductiveness; indicating a sudden reluctance to be alone with a certain person; and withdrawing from previously enjoyable activities.
- Sudden Behavioral Changes - wetting the bed again, experiencing a loss of appetite or other changes in eating habits, developing frequent unexplained health problems, and regression to behaviors too young for the stage of development.
- Changes in Beliefs or Discussions - refusal to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child; discussion about a new, older friend; or suddenly thinks of self or body as dirty, repulsive or bad.
- Physical symptoms - Blood or purulent discharge from genital or anal area, venereal disease, infections, itching, urinary tract infections, STDs, abdominal pain, and difficulty walking or sitting.
What to do if a child discloses or you suspect abuse? Stay CALM. Be mindful of your facial expressions and non-verbal behavior. Identify and acknowledge their trauma, displaying that you understand and take seriously what the child is saying. The response to the disclosure of sexual abuse is critical to the child's ability to resolve and heal from the trauma of sexual abuse - don't blame the child or ask a bunch of questions about details. Enter the child’s shoes and clarify the situation from their perspective, they made a BIG, BRAVE step in tell you. Let the child know that their safety is a priority and that you need to report the abuse (EVEN if they beg you not to!)
All adults have the moral and ethical obligation to report suspected child abuse, regardless of whether or not they have a legal obligation to do so as a mandated reporter. Here are some steps you can take to protect children: - Know the signs of child sexual abuse.
- If you think a child is being abused, report it by calling the police or 1-800-25-ABUSE (in Illinois)
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