HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD FROM SEXUAL ABUSE, ACCORDING TO A PEDIATRICIAN
by Edward Morgan
Most sexual abuse goes unreported.
That means the current and already horrifying statistics � 1 in 10 children will be sexually
abused before they reach 18 years of age � may not even reflect the true scope of the problem.
And sadly, it exists closer to home than we might like to think.
Over 90% of sexually abused children were abused by someone they know, making it even
more difficult for them to report, or even know they should report, this abuse.
Many simply block out this type of trauma entirely � a coping mechanism that protects
the mind from something too appalling to endure.
Others may remember but suppress the truth, and it comes out in addictive and other destructive
behaviours, impacting the rest of their adult life in many ways.
So what can we do, as parents, as siblings, as guardians, and as friends, to ensure the
children in our lives stay safe?
Well, I recently came across a post on Facebook by a paediatrician who aims to do just that,
outlining where it happens, when it happens, and who does it, most often.
We need to have more open discussions about this, not only with other adults but with
children as well, if the issue is ever going to be resolved.
The numbers are staggering, as are the consequences of this abuse for its victims.
Without going into graphic details, I probably get about 1-2 kids a month in my office who
have been sexually abused or molested.
I will address several points in light of the most common scenarios I�ve seen.
1.
The Location is Know
The location of an incident is likely to be at a place where you are familiar.
Places where I�ve heard of this happening: known family members and friends are far and
away the most common.
Perpetrators ages ranging from young teens to adults.
It is almost always a male cousin, known neighbor, friend�s older brother/cousin, babysitter,
father/stepfather, uncle or mom�s boyfriend.
Occasionally it is a female, but that�s rare unless she is grooming the kids to have
access to someone else.
Church youth group is the number two location, usually because there is less supervision.
School, camp and sports are the other locations, but less likely unless there are kids allowed
to be alone with teachers and coaches.
Ask the schools and coaches and churches what their safety plans are to protect kids.
It�s never perfect, but I feel at least they know there are aware parents and it helps
keep everyone accountable.
2.
Slumber Parties
I wanted to address this separately because of it being a sensitive subject.
My daughter is allowed to go to a select few friends� homes (like five families) for
sleepovers.
Never parents that I don�t know extremely well, which means she doesn�t get to sleep
over at school friends� homes.
Never large groups of kids, where one kid being separated might not be noticed.
That said, I can�t tell you how many times patients tell me the first time they were
touched inappropriately or the first time they saw pornography was during a sleepover.
I only get one chance to raise my kids and I�d rather be a mean parent who is no fun
than have the other possibility.
3.
Use The Proper Names
Please use appropriate anatomical terms for body parts.
Eyes are eyes, knees are knees and penises are penises (proceed with the pearl clutching).
Don�t use cutesy names or vague names like booty or wee wee or cookie or treasure.
It confuses the matter in case something needs to be reported.
It also destigmatizes those body parts.
*Author Add- When a child uses the anatomical name (vulva, clitoris, testicle..etc) to an
abuser it can scare them off in a way as they are not expecting the child to be wise enough
to know those things.
If they know that, then they may also go tell someone what they are doing is inappropriate.
4.
What Is Appropriate Touch
�Safe touch� vs. �bad touch�: make sure kids know which is which.
Safe touches I usually teach are the ones that are in areas not covered by your bathing
suit, like shoulders, head and feet.
Safe touches are also those that make you feel calm and safe, like a hug from your mom.
Bad touches are those in the areas that are covered up by underwear.
They are also the ones that make you feel nervous, scared or worried.
If a bigger person is touching you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, that is a bad
touch.
Always tell your parents or other adult about bad touches.
And let kids know there should never be secrets between kids and adults and that they will
NEVER get in trouble for telling someone.
If a child tells you something, believe them.
Kids lie to get out of trouble, not to get in to trouble, and if there is any degree
of isolation or grooming involved then the child likely thinks that they will get into
trouble for telling.
So if they tell you something believe it.
5.
You Probably Know Who They Are
�Stranger danger� is a fallacy.
The vast majority of the time someone who molests a child is known to the family.
Beware of so-called �grooming behaviors�.
This is usually from an adult male (or female) who ingratiates themselves to the child and
family to lower their defenses.
Usually they will try to establish a trusting relationship with the family and seek opportunities
to be alone with kids.
They do this so that any accusations from the child will seem made up.
This has happened in almost every situation I have seen.
Because most children are abused by a close friend or family member, most children trust
their abuser.
They just want the abuse to stop.
6.
Be Aware of Online Activities
Be aware of what kids are looking at on smartphones and tablets.
Especially from their friends whose parents may not monitor things so closely.
I usually tell parents at every preteen and above well check that as long as they are
paying for the phone and the kid is under 18, it is their responsibility to monitor
their child�s activities in social media, texting, etc.
There are so many really clever ways for kids to hide their activity online and parents
are almost always behind the 8 ball on this.
7.
Trust Yourself
Most importantly, trust your gut.
If someone seems a little off or a little too nice to your kids, trust yourself and
keep your kids out of any situations where they would be alone with that person.
We have all been in situations where you just want to be polite, even when someone is giving
you the heebie jeebies.
There is a great book called �The Gift of Fear� that talks about people forgetting
to trust their intuition in potentially dangerous situations and why there are times when you
need to listen to that spirit of discernment.
I don�t lock my kids up and throw away the key, as much as I would love to protect them
forever.
But these are hopefully some practical tips as a mom and pediatrician to make your kids
feel safe and to highlight some potentially dangerous situations.
By the way, we start this conversation around 3 or 4 years old in our house.
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