Child Sexual Abuse

by Bud Lambert

In 1984 and 1985 I did a clinical internship with the Jackson Mental Health Center in Jackson, Mississippi. The focus of my work was child sexual abuse prevention. It was during this experience that I realized that all children are at risk for sexual abuse.
One key to sexual abuse prevetion is respecting children as thinking, feeling human beings. We need to respect our children's decisions about who they want to touch and who they don't want to touch. Many parents unknowingly encourage sexual abuse by forcing their child to hug, kiss, or stay with a person the child indicates they won't want to hug, kiss or stay with.
Another key to sexual abuse prevention is good parent/child communication. Children must have your permission and example in talking about themselves: their concerns, joys, experiences and frustrations. Children should be told specifically that if they are ever touched in a bad or confusing way on their private parts, you can and will hear them talk to you about it.
Despite our attempts to communicate with our children and teach them how to avoid abuse, some children will still be abused.
Another important skill for us, to possess, then, is early detection. Following are some sexual abuse indicators: fear of being alone with a particular person; running away from home for no apparent reason; sudden changes of behavior at school and/or relating to friends; changes in sleeping patterns or appetite for no apparent reaton; bed wetting, nightmares or development of unusual fears;
severe or sudden drop in grades; extreme moodiness; depression: acting out, excessive crying; newly-acquired bodily complaints, especially stomach aches; lack of self esteem; refusing to undress for P.E.; not involved in social activities; irritation of genital area; simulating intercourse with another child; unusual interest in genitals; detailed and age inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior; excessive cleanliness; exhibiting little affect; suicidal.

• Chisel -Aug 24, 2008
• Chisel 2008 --Sculpting Young Men to Lead Great Works -Aug 10, 2008
• Youth ministry subject of university workshop -Feb 05, 2008
• Home is Where you Make It -Aug 07, 2005
• New Eyes -Jun 12, 2005