3 Steps Towards Healing and Protecting Your Child from Abuse.
Child sexual abuse. It’s a horrible reality. It’s a terrible problem. It’s more prevalent than you may think.
It’s a taboo subject in many circles but if it happens to affect your child or a child you know it is overwhelming, scary, confusing and shocking. What should you do? Where should you seek help? Below are some important first steps:
Step 1: Always believe your child, and go out of your way to emphasis that you believe them.
Here’s what you can tell your child:
- It was very good that you told me.
- You are not in trouble because you told me.
- I am so sorry this happened to you.
- What happened to you was not right. It was wrong
- I love you. I will work to make sure this never happens to you again. .
Fact: Only a very low 4-8% of reported sexual abuse cases are found to be fabricated.
Step 2: Don’t make your child repeat the story multiple times.
David Finkelhor states “the unanticipated consequences of disclosure – the interviews, the hearings, the disruption in their lives – and the reactions of others – the denials, the outrage, the confrontations, the ostracism, these are often more upsetting to them than the abuse. Thus every effort needs to be made to minimize the impact of these reactions and interventions… Thus every effort is made to limit the number of times a child has to be interviewed about the abuse.” – page 101 “Child Sexual Abuse” in Child & Trauma book.
Step 3: Seek help immediately.
- Remove your child from any imminent danger, with threats of immediate harm. Call 911.
- Call the DCFS hotline and report what happened to your child. If your child shared who the perpetrator was, have that information ready to share.
- Call your pediatrician
- Seek counseling services for your child as soon as possible.
Research indicates that getting an abuse victim and their family help through processing their story in a safe place can cultivate resilience, foster hope, and start them on a path towards healing. If your child or a child you know is or has been a victim of sexual abuse don’t keep silent.
Susan Stutzman, LCPC, RPT, founder and owner of Kid Matters Counseling.
Susan Stutzman
Owner | Child Therapist | LCPC, RPT
I use the therapeutic power of play and child development research to achieve short-term, practical solutions to restore emotional stability for the child and peace in the home.
Does My Child Have OCD?
The term OCD is often thrown around flippantly, but any parent of a child with true OCD symptoms knows the mental obsessions and compulsions are overwhelming. The symptoms range, however, most kids who have true OCD will struggle with anxious and worrisome thoughts...
School is Starting! Are You and Your Child Mentally Prepared?
Reticence and reluctance to go back to school are completely normative for most children. Just as adults relish their days off and vacations, kids too hate to give up their preferred pursuits or control over their time. There are also worries and questions that simmer...
3 Common Myths of Child Sexual Abuse
When I work with parents of children who have been sexually abused, there are common questions I get about child sexual abuse. For many, the questions they ask are informed by years of incorrect media coverage and/or inaccurate messages shared among society. Here are...
Kid Matters Counseling has trained therapists ready to help both kids and parents walk through the tough moments in life.
End the frustration & the confusion and let's work together! Call For A Free Consultation Today!OFFICES:
201 E. Ogden Ave, Suite 106, Hinsdale, IL 60521
Ask Us Anything!
We help anxious kids and frustrated parents. We serve Hinsdale & the Western Suburbs of Chicago.
Made with ♥︎ in Hinsdale, Illinois for Chicago
Built By Brand Your Practice.
© 2019 Kid Matters Counseling, P.C.
Kid Matters Counseling, P.C. DISCLAIMER: This website and blog are for informational, educational and general discussion purposes only. It is understood that no guarantee or warranty arises from the information provided, discussed or commented upon in this. website and blog nor does it constitute legal or other professional advice on any subject matter. Access to this website and blog is voluntary and at the sole risk of the user. If you think that you have a medical emergency (including clinical), call your doctor or 911 immediately. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. While the information contained within this website and blog is periodically updated, no guarantee is given that the information provided is correct, complete, and/or up-to-date.