Child sexual abuse occurs worldwide, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or socioeconomic groups. It is far more common than you may think. Specifically, in the Caribbean, child sexual abuse appears to be a significant and growing problem.
One of the main reasons sexual abuse continues to be a significant element in these children’s lives is that it is rarely reported. According to research, 82.3% of participants agreed that reasons for underreporting include:
- shame and embarrassment;
- fear of the abuser and possible retribution; and
- fear of their story being questioned.
To protect these children and create the conditions for healing, it’s essential to know how to respond when they tell you about the abuse. The following guidelines can be utilized in your response:
Stay calm – It’s normal to feel angry, shocked, and worried. But for a child to feel safe in continuing their disclosure, you’ll need to remain emotionally calm and put your feelings aside. Listen carefully without interruption and let them tell you at their own pace.
Believe them – When a child trusts you enough to tell you about the abuse, you need to believe them. Children rarely, if ever, lie about such things. On the other hand, the pressure they may have in keeping quiet is enormous. It takes tremendous courage for anyone, especially a child, to speak up about their abuse. If they feel rejected or feel they aren’t being believed, it’s common for them to take the disclosure back. Validating what they have to say is essential.
Be supportive – Alongside validating what they’re saying, show them that you understand and are taking them seriously. Reassure them of their decision in telling you. Experts have found that when children feel heard and understood they share more are mentally healthier in the long term. Responding without judgment is crucial to their healing from the trauma of sexual abuse.
Finally, offer them protection, and ensure that you’ll take steps to stop the abuse. The first step in their healing process is a supportive and caring response from a trusted adult.
-UMW
References
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (2020, May). Responding To Child Sexual Abuse. Https://Www.Aacap.Org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Responding_To-Child-Sexual-Abuse-028.Aspx. https://www.aacap.org
UNICEF. (2010, May). Https://Www.Unicef.Org/Child_Sexual_Abuse_Publication.Pdf. https://www.unicef.org/
University of Huddersfield Repository | Manualzz. (n.d.). Manualzz.Com. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://manualzz.com/doc/18545637/university-of-huddersfield-repository
