Information About Sexual Abuse

a) Reporting Sexual Abuse

b) Myths about Sexual Abuse

C) Red Flags about Sexual Abuse

b) Myths about Sexual Abuse

WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS? Sexual abuse is a widespread problem in our society. It is estimated that one out of three girls and one out of five boys (Whitsell-Mitchell, 1995) are sexually abused by the age of 18. Researchers believe this is only the "tip of the iceberg." Sexual abuse has many negative consequences for the child, family and all involved. There is something you can do about it. Therapy is an essential part of the healing process. With treatment, children who have been sexually abused are able to lead normal, healthy lives by learning how to better accept and cope with the abuse. Therapy is an essential part of this process. Here are some of the common myths people give as reasons not to follow through with therapy.

Myth 1 - Children who have been sexually abused will grow out of it. This is true for some children; however, there is no research or testing that can identify those children. Many children who have been sexually abused suffer both short- and long-term negative effects. These include: Short-term Effects Loss of appetite, nightmares, bedwetting, excessive fears, social or emotional withdrawal, obsessive cleanliness, change in sleep habits, inappropriate sexual behavior, difficulty in social relationships, decreased school performance Long-term Effects Depression, anxiety, isolation, poor self-esteem, difficulty trusting others, substance abuse, interpersonal problems, possibility of future abuse, eating disorders, suicide, aggressive behavior. *It is important to note that these long-term behaviors may emerge in adulthood.*

Myth 2 - Children are too young to remember being abused. ChildrenÕs recollections are much better than was once believed. In the past, it was believed that young children could not remember events. Actually, they are able to remember events quite accurately. However, they simply lack the verbal skills to express themselves.

Myth 3 - How can this be bothering my child? He or she never talks about it. There are several reasons why a child may not talk about the abuse. b) The child may not have the verbal skills to express him/herself. c) The child may fear upsetting the adult by talking about the event. d) It may be too painful for the child to talk about. e) The child may fear destroying the family. f) The child may fear getting the perpetrator into legal trouble.

Myth 4 - My child was the one who was sexually abused. Why do I need treatment? There are several reasons why the non-offending parent should be part of treatment. a) It is important to have a safe place for the parent to express his or her thoughts and feelings and receive emotional support. b) It is important to learn how to help and support the child who has been sexually abused. The single most important factor in a child's recovery is the parent's reaction to the abuse (Kendall-Tackett, et al., 1993). c) Sexual abuse affects the whole family. The symptoms of the child directly impact the family. However, research shows that d) families who acknowledge and partake in treatment improve more quickly than families who do not. e) If the parent has been sexually abused, the abuse of the child may bring the adult's problems to the forefront.

Myth 5 - Treatment will be expensive, especially if it involves the whole family. This may be the case for some other programs, but not for Family Learning Program (FLP). FLP is funded so that clients may pay on a sliding scale. Clients pay what they can afford. No family will be turned away because of finances.

Myth 6 - We have no time for therapy. While it is true that therapy takes time, treatment is necessary and essential. Most parents would never sacrifice their child's medical treatment due to time constraints, so why sacrifice his/her mental health. Ignoring the need for treatment will only worsen the problem and possibly cause serious long-term consequences for both the child and family.

Myth 7 - My family's problems are private. It is no one else's business. Chances are the abuse itself involved a component of secrecy. To lessen a child's shame and guilt, the secrecy must end. It is important to speak openly about the abuse. Furthermore, group participation can offer support and information from others with similar experiences. Confidentiality is maintained by the therapists and strongly encouraged among the group members.

Myth 8 - My child stated he/she was abused and then said nothing happened. Often times a child will take back what he/she has said (recanting) as part of a reaction to the disclosure process. Children may perceive that they are blamed or not believed. They may feel pressure from family members or the perpetrator to keep the family intact. A child may be threatened by the perpetrator to recant. Finally, a child's recanting may be a reaction to a variety of circumstances, such as court testimony, police investigation, removal from the family, etc.

The issues surrounding sexual abuse are extremely difficult. It would be easy to avoid or run from this situation, but the problems of sexual abuse will NOT DISAPPEAR. However, you have made the important first step for you and your family in seeking treatment.

c) Red Flags about Sexual Abuse

The difference between rape and child molestation is that the child molester usually does not just suddenly sexually abuse a child little known to them. They often take time to "groom" the child. Grooming means in this context to gradually cross boundaries, setting the child up for victimization. It may start very innocently, just doing things with the child. Then the molester gradually does things closer and closer physically (e.g. sit next to the child, touch the child appropriately like shaking hands, putting a hand on a shoulder, an affectionate arm around the back, have the child sit on their lap, comb their hair, help put sunscreen on the child). The potential offender then begins to cross more of these 'personal space' boundaries. They may linger in these touches longer than appropriate, be more exuberant in showing affection, fingers seemingly accidentally touching more intimate parts, suggestions to be alone more and lying down with the child, wrestling or other activities which bring closer contact. One of our offenders said he would often take 6 months to a year to groom a child before actually molesting the child. He would justify this by saying to himself that the child was very lonely and no one else was doing what the child needed, spending time with the child, teaching them, being really caring and affectionate. These grooming activities are the "red flags" or warning signals that can be identified and watched out for by therapists and family members of offenders in treatment, by children who may be "lured" into an abusive situation, and by offenders themselves in identifying their pattern of abuse.

The following study illustrates red flags and grooming behaviors:

Berliner, L. & Conte, J.R. (1990). The Process of Victimization: The victims' perspective. Child Abuse & Neglect, 14, 29-40. N=23, 21 females, 2 males (10-18 years)

"Red Flags" or pre-abuse indicators reported by child victims %

• Treated them differently from other kid 78%
• Told them not to tell mother about things did together 74
• "Accidentally" came into bed/bathroom when undressed 70
• Looked at them in a funny or sexual way 65
• Wanted to spend time alone, made excuses to do so 61
• "Accidentally" touched their private parts 61
• Did not respect privacy 61
• Said they were special, only one who understands 61
• Threatened them like an adult, he acted as a kid 61
• "Accidentally" showed his/her body naked 61
• Did things that involved physical contact 57
• Gave special privileges, made feel obligated 57
• Asked questions about sex, boyfriends 52
• Came in bedroom at night 52
• Said sexual things about their body/dress 48
• Told them private things about their mother/his wife 39
• Did not let have friends, do things like other kids 39
• "Taught sex" with pornography or touching their body 30
• Treated meaner than others 30
• Talked about sexual things he had done 26
• Put lotion or ointment on them when alone 22

"Grooming behaviors" are often done to prepare the victim to be compliant, taking small steps, gradually leading up to sexual activity. Children often respond to secrecy.

Justifications offenders give to victim children

• 70% You like it
• 61 Nobody will find out
• 57 I'm not really hurting you
• 48 You look older than you really are
• 44 I won't do it anymore
• 44 You are very mature for your age
• 44 You are very mature for your age
• 44 You want me to do this
• 39 My wife doesn't love me
• 35 It makes me feel better
• 30 I need love and affection too
• 30 I'm just going to play around
• 30 I'm teaching you about sex
• 30 You haven't told me to stop
• 22 You are not my real daughter
• 13% At least I'm not screwing you

Majority 61% 14/23 said they did not know that they were being sexually abused initially.

Others blamed themselves. "He told me I was bad, a slut, I thought I deserved it. I didn't know it was wrong but it didn't feel right. He made it sound like it was my idea and he was willing to teach me.

Coercion Used:

• 61% experienced threats
• He would kill me, cut off my fingers
• Give me a Belting
• Your mother will leave you, your family will be separated
• Our mother will be mad at you.
• You don't wanta get me in trouble
• He said he would kill himself if I told
• My family would be shamed for ever, be broken up
• 39% Indirect, Emotional coercion, exploiting child's vulnerability, or bribery, get special privileges
• Everyone will think I was a slut
• I would feel rotten for the rest of my life
• I would be a scum
• Nobody would like me
• Most were told to keep abuse secret- 70%

Conclusions:

How can we use this research in our practice?

Many nonoffending parents are devastated that their child did not tell them, blaming themselves for not detecting the abuse, not being the "perfect parent, " or having a close relationship with their child so that they could confide the abuse.

* Since the majority of children do not tell, parents can be reassured that there are many factors mediating their child's not telling...believing in the authority, the threats by the abuser, not realizing or understanding they were abused, told to keep a secret, not to tell their parent, etc .