April is Sexual Abuse Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month. No one really wants to talk about sexual abuse. We would rather pretend it isn't happening. However, if we want to protect kids, we need to start talking about it. Kids need to know what they're up against and how to fight back. Education is the key.
Sexual abuse is extremely damaging to kids and it is more prevelant than most people imagine. More than one in four girls in the U.S. today will be sexually abused before the age of eighteen. More than one in six boys today will be sexually abused before the age of eighteen. Some of that could prevented if kids were better prepared and if caring adults created relationships of trust where kids felt safe to talk about hard stuff.
What can you do?
1.Talk to the kids in your life about abuse. Be calm. Teach with clarity and avoid scare tactics. Remind kids that the only way to stop an abuser is to tell a trusted adult if someone tries to molest them.
2. Cultivate a trusting relationship. Talk to your kids about all kinds of things. Be a safe person for kids to talk to. Make it easy for your kids to come to you when they are worried or confused.
3. Copy the poster at the top of this post and pass it along. Email, facebook, twitter, whatever. Right click and copy or save. It's easy. Spread the word.
Click here for more detailed information. You can download a free Parents Guide and What To Do.
The only thing worse than finding out that your child has been sexually abused is not finding out.
Start Talking.
Linda Garner
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