Child sexual abuse has increased. The older children get, the more they contact people outside the family circle, making them more vulnerable to sexual behavior threats. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are more victims of child sexual abuse among children aged 6 to 11.
Parenting nowadays is not similar to the last few decades. Technological development and scientific advancement provide us new scope to live better. But with these advancements, the crisis is also popping up. A parent needs to be more concerned since the teenage crisis is also increasing.
Even though talking about sexual abuse is not easy, it is essential to discuss it with your child. It can protect your child since she is not yet mature enough to understand that some adults around her can take advantage of her. However, if you can not educate your children about sexual behavior threats, they might fall victims easily.
Besides, a child who has been informed about the risks of sexual abuse will confide more quickly if she is a victim. The goal, however, is not to make her feel that everyone is dangerous but rather to educate her about the risks of sexual abuse. She will then be better equipped. And then she will be able to refuse any gesture with a sexual connotation.
What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse is an act of a sexual nature. An adult or even a child may abuse another child with an act of a sexual nature. However, when it comes to two children, you have to know how to distinguish sexual abuse from sexual play.
In sex play, the two children are roughly the same age, and they are both consenting. The gestures that occur are, therefore, above all a matter of curiosity. For example, one child may be naked or touch the other’s genitals. On the other hand, if someone forces, manipulates, or blackmails a child into satisfying sexual hunger, it is no longer a sexual game.
In many cases, child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child knows, such as a family member or acquaintance. Sexual abuse of boys, however, is more often committed by people outside the family, while sexual abuse of girls is more committed by family members. This difference is probably explained by the fact that parents often give more freedom to boys. However, both the girl and boy child are under sexual behavior threats in our society.
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Are There Ways To Prevent Child Sexual Abuse?
If you want to prevent child abuse, it is essential to discuss this risk of sexual abuse with your child. Give him/her clear information, but avoid talking about it all the time. If you overdramatize, it may cause your child to keep quiet to avoid upsetting you if they are struggling. He/she might also develop such a fear that he/she will no longer trust anyone. On the other hand, your child may fear more and will not share with you about the sexual behavior threats that you will inform him/her.
Remember that even if you warn your child, the responsibility for preventing sexual abuse is yours first.
Here Are Some Practical Tips To Reduce The Risk Of Your Child Being Sexually Abused
- Teach your child to listen to the little voice inside him/her that tells him/her that h/she is not well or that the situation is making uncomfortable.
- Recognize your child’s right to say no to things that make them uncomfortable, like kissing.
- Respect everyone’s privacy at home so that your child learns that respect for their body is essential and that nudity is a personal thing.
- Talk to your child and be a trustworthy person they can confide in under all circumstances.
- Ensure that the people who care for your child while you are away are trustworthy and that you know them well enough. When you return, ask your child how things went, what s/he liked, and what s/he liked least.
But above all, your child needs to learn about love and sexual behavior threats. S/he must learn to trust herself/himself, develop good self-esteem, and express emotions. They will then be better able to respect themselves and say no to situations in which they feel uncomfortable.
Here Are Some Ideas For Discussing The Risks Of Sexual Abuse With Your Child
- Explain that her body is her and that no one can touch her or look at her naked. If someone likes to look at her nude or feel her private body parts, it is one of the sexual behavior threats.
- Tell her not to talk to people she doesn’t know and never to follow a stranger. Moreover, teach your child to visit a security guard if they get lost on an outing.
- Tell her that if an adult asks her to behave sexually (e.g., kissing, caressing, touching sex), she must say “no” and tell you about it as soon as possible.
- Teach her what a good secret and a sinister secret is. A good mystery is a surprise that gives pleasure, whereas a sinister secret is something that we are asked to keep to ourselves, but which makes us uncomfortable and that we know, deep down, that it is not well.
How To Prepare Your Child Against Abuse?
Some scenarios can help you discuss the risks of sexual abuse with your child. Ask her, “what would you do if
- The neighbor came to pick you up from school without mom or dad telling you?
- Anyone said to you, “You can go to bed later if you let me see you naked”?
- Did someone you know well offer to take you to the park without our permission?
- Someone, you love wanted to have a secret with you and asked you not to tell me?
- Your swimming instructor often touched your private body parts while teaching you to swim?
- a “nice” adult asking you, in the street, to help him find his cat?
- An older child asking you to touch it?
- An adult wanted to take pictures of you naked or ask you to send him a picture of yourself nude over the internet?
- An adult wanted to show you pictures of naked people?
Are You Worried About Any Adults’ Sexual Behavior Threats?
Your child may be in contact with someone (e.g., family member, caregiver, neighbor, mentor) who makes you uncomfortable because of the way they touch your child. Whoever it is, try to find out what it is, instead of telling yourself you’re mistaken and avoiding the situation.
How to react
- Talk to your child to find out how they feel around the person you suspect. Speak calmly, without making accusations and without making any suggestions, because you are just trying, at the moment, to get information.
- If you haven’t already, talk to your child about which physical contact is appropriate and which are not. Explain that no one is allowed to touch their body in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, bothers, or scares them.
- Tell your child to let you know if she experiences any inappropriate physical contact. Assure her that you won’t get angry. All you want is for it to feel good and safe.
What If A Child Confides That She Is Being Abused?
Children are often afraid to talk about their abuse. They may also be ashamed of what happened to them, feel guilty, or fear that no one will believe them.
If a child tells you that she is abused in the past, she feels safe with you and trusts you. When a child speaks candidly about abuse, she shows that she knows it is wrong and wants help to stop it.
How to react
- Let her know that you are listening to her carefully and that you take her words seriously. Say, “Tell me” rather than “Are you sure?” So she doesn’t think you don’t believe him.
- Let her tell you in her words what happened, without putting words in her mouth or suggesting what may have happened.
- Let her know that you are supportive and that she did the right thing to turn to you.
- Keep calm, even if you are shocked by his revelations. If you get angry or show that you are upset and mad at yourself, the child may feel guilty for upsetting you and bear the brunt of your own pain.
- Reassure her that it is not her fault. Children are vulnerable, so the responsibility to protect them lies with adults.
- If the child asks you to be silent, tell them that you understand that they are afraid and assure them to help. Explain to her that what she said to you is too vital for you to remain silent, and it is the silence that allows the person who attacks her to continue his actions and that these must stop.
- Report the abuse to the police. Remember that the child has confided in you because he is counting on your help.
Bottom Lines
It is vital to talk to children about child sexual abuse to prepare them to resist when it is necessary. But many parents, do not feel good share with their children about these issues. Thus, these parents are endangering their safety and lives. Remember, abuse in the child may lead to many psychological dilemmas (future) in your child. Prepare them about sexual behavior threats from the adults. Try your best to prevent child sexual assault.
You are aware that pedophile on the internet is also waiting for the innocent children. So, talk, talk and talk to your children to keep them safe. You also keep an eye on their online activities. Or else someone else might tempt your child on the wrong path. Drug dealers target teens on the internet. So, you must be aware of teen drug addiction symptoms.
So, to prevent your child from being victims of abuse and other threats, monitor their online activities. If your question is “How?”, we recommend you use the best Spyware. It is none other than Spouseware.
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