How to React if Your Child Reports Sexual Abuse
If your child reports that he or she has suffered from sexual abuse, it can be hard to know what to do. This article will give you a step-by-step process on how to react to such horrible news.
EditSteps
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1Take a deep breath, remain calm.Ad
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2Come down to their level, maintain eye contact, give them your absolute undivided attention.
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3Maintain an open posture towards them, ignore your cell phone.
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4Keep your tone friendly.
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5Do not overreact in anger, judgement or disgust.
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6Let your child know that you believe them and love them.
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7Try not to let your inner emotions show in front of your child. You will probably feel panicked or sick inside. If you seem upset, the child will start to feel more scared. Be as calm and supportive as possible.
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8Talk calmly to the child and find out what happened through their eyes. Make sure that what he/she is reporting is true, but even if the facts don't add up, do not express doubt in you child's story.
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9Report the incident to the authorities, follow their instructions.
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10Find a local counselor who specialized in children who have been sexually abused. Schedule an appointment for your child ASAP.
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11Be open for discussion if your child ever wants to talk about it. Recovery may take a while, but all you can do is be there for your child.
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12• Thank them for telling you, remind them you know it was not easy.
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13• Recognize their bravery
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14• Remind them they have done the right thing
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15• Remind then it is not their fault
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16• Remind them that is not because of who they are that this has happened to them.
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17• Let them know if they want you to help them you will have to tell another adult, that the child might have to repeat their story, not because it is not believed but it is a process.
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18• I will be with you when we speak to the other adults. You will not be alone.
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19• Whatever happens from now on, I will explain everything to you.
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20• I need to make notes of what you tell me because your story is very important (take verbatim disclosure notes for legal proceedings).
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21Do not threaten to hurt the abuser.
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22Confirm they are not wrong, they are not the seducer.
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23Write down the narrative word for word. Do not use your own words.Ad
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EditWarnings
- Even though you will feel angry and sad, don't freak out when your child tells you he or she has been abused. This will scare your child.
- Don't push your child to tell you the details of the abuse. This will traumatize him/her. Let the counselors/police determine the details.
Article Info
Categories: Youth and Family
Recent edits by: Bruna, KommaH, MadHatter52
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 3,990 times.