Enlisting All Adults in the Fight Against Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse. It's a topic so horrific that most parents don't want to talk about it. But that's just what the experts at the Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children recommend.
"As soon as a child is verbal, at 2 or 3 years, parents can begin talking about safe and unsafe touching, and then review it periodically," says Heidi Malott, LISW, of the Child Abuse Team at the Mayerson Center at Cincinnati Children's. "It's just another part of the safety talks parents give about bikes, car seats and bullying."
Focus on Safety
"Making the topic of touching part of a safety discussion takes the taboo out of talking about sex and body parts," adds Kathi Makoroff, MD, of the Mayerson Center. "This is not about sex, it's about a child's safety."
After a campaign in which children were told to say, "No, Go, Tell," making children responsible for their own protection from abuse, attitudes are shifting. "It's the adults' responsibility to keep children safe," Ms. Malott emphasizes. "This is all about prevention."
In parent-child safety chats, bath time is a natural for discussing parts of the body that should only be touched by a child's pediatrician. A few days before a scheduled doctor's visit is also a good time to recap safe and unsafe touching.
"Review the topic every few months and remind children that they can come to their parent to discuss unsafe touching, even if they're uncomfortable," Dr. Makoroff says. "And it's also good to name five people in and out of the home whom the child could tell."
"If children know the mother would be upset, they could tell a grandmother or a next-door neighbor who's a good friend of the family," Ms. Malott adds.
Be Alert to Signs
Young children often reveal abuse by emulating sexual activity that is outside the norm; all children, Ms. Malott reminds parents, have sexual behavior. "Adults then should ask, 'Where did you learn that?'"
"School-age children usually tell other students. That's why school prevention programs are so good," Ms. Malott continues. "Children learn what to do if they hear such a disclosure." "Parents can ask if their own schools have an abuse prevention program," Dr. Makoroff suggests.
"Teens usually tell when they're upset about something else," Ms. Malott says. "Parents need to not overlook a disclosure said when the child is angry about another issue."
Where to Find Help
If parents suspect sexual abuse, the first phone call is to the child's pediatrician. Then, if necessary, call the local child protection agency.
The Mayerson Center also takes calls from parents at 513-636-SAFE (7233), and accepts referrals from parents and pediatricians.
At the center, a child may be examined by a physician trained in abuse treatment. Then, the child and parents meet with members of Mayerson Center staff, plus representatives of county child protective services and law enforcement.
"These are all the people who might be involved if a case needs to be investigated," Ms. Malott says. "We also link children and families to mental health resources in their area."
If a case goes to court, a victim's advocate from the prosecutor's office is on hand at the Mayerson Center to work with the child and family.
"We specialize in a multi-disciplinary approach for the child's benefit," Ms. Malott says. "We also emphasize prevention and adults' responsibility for keeping children safe."
