THE PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE TOWARDS CHILDREN

Child sexual abuse is a very serious problem. Thus, we have to do something to prevent the chance of the sexual abuse. The most important people who owe the duty to prevent this kind of problem is the parents themselves. In fact, the parents have responsibility to ensure that their children are safe. Besides, there are a few ways which have to be done by the parents to prevent the chance of the sexual abuse towards their children:

1. Pay very close attention to your child. Learn to understand “the language of their eyes.” Pay attention and become an expert at being able to recognize what your child does whenever anything unusual is going on, when they are scared, when they are hiding something, or when they need help but are afraid to ask;

2. Do not over-react to things, so you do not increase your child’s reluctance to tell you something scary or shameful;

3. Checking in on them at events, lessons, sports practices, friend's houses occasionally at unexpected times. This is so adults, older kids, and your child know that you might just show up at any time, they risk getting caught if they try anything inappropriate;

4. Although we cannot count on our children tell us about what is going on in their lives especially when abuse is occurring, it is still a good idea to tell children in age appropriate language that "if someone tries to touch your body and do things that make you feel funny, say “No” to that person and tell me right away" Also tell the child that they will not be in trouble and you will make sure everybody is safe;

5. Let they know if they make a mistake, and say to them that however something bad happens to them, you will always love them and protect them and they will not be in trouble but they always need to tell you about things like that.

6. In addition, although this is a tricky one, try to teach children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority, for example, don't tell children to, "Always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells you to do try instead to say things like “be good and do the right thing";

7. Of course, keep open lines of communication with your child, all your child's care takers, and your child's teachers so you are likely to hear about any unusual behaviors;

8. Encourage professional prevention programs in the local school system and the community. Also, show no more fear or hesitation about bringing your child to see a therapist if you see unusual behavior, then you would about bringing them to a medical doctor if they were having unusual physical issues.

Sexually abused children and their families need immediate professional evaluation and treatment. Child therapists can help abused children minimize the effects of the abuse, recover, heal and eventually move on. They can help the child regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Such treatment can help to reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult.