IS SHE SUFFERING SEXUAL ABUSE?
I hope I’m wrong but I feel my young, ten-year old daughter is being sexually abused. She spends too much time on the Internet, seems too precocious sexually and is having trouble at school. Her father tells me I’m making it up, I hope he’s right, but I have serious doubts…
You have every right to worry when you believe your 10-year old daughter is sexually precocious, spends way too much time on the Internet, and is beginning to have trouble at school.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE IN CHILDREN
According to Knobel (2021): ¨Sexual abuse is any intromission of adult sexuality in the world of children”. It’s important to include here sexual relations, but also, caresses, forcing children to watch pornography, asking them to send their photos in underwear, and such.
Frequently parents will not admit there’s a problem and tend to disbelieve the child because it’s quite possible the abuser is a relative, or someone close to the family; it can also be a neighbor or someone at school.
The abuser knows the child feels guilty and takes advantage of this by warning her not to talk to anyone about the matter. Today, sexual abuse is frequently perpetrated through the Internet where the abuser invents a profile, posts photos and false names in order to win the trust of the child.
Experts point out that precocious sexualized behavior can alert us to the possibility that the child is being sexually abused since it could not have appeared spontaneously. Furthermore, as the abuse affects the child profoundly, consequently he’ll show physical, emotional, and behavioral disorders, as well as intellectual difficulties.
HOW TO REACT FACING SEXUAL CHILD ABUSE
As a mother, the first thing you should do is investigate the different sources: your child, the school, the family, neighbors, the Internet.
However, you have to keep in mind that usually abused children will not want to speak about the issue; they feel guilty and ashamed, so you must be very tactful and patient. One way to address the subject would be to tell her a story similar to hers.
When you establish the abuser, set him aside from the family immediately; let your child know she is first and foremost and that you respect her pain. She must feel confident that she can talk freely about the issue. If the abuse comes from the Internet, you must exercise strict control over that medium (Knobel, 2013).
It’s essential that you let your child know she is not guilty. No child is responsible of having been abused. Furthermore, it’s necessary that she see a psychologist, specialized in the area who can help her achieve a healthy, happy life.
In my book WHAT DO I DO NOW? NO ONE TAUGHT ME HOW TO BE A MOM! You will find this and other 26 common problems in children from birth to 12 years. In relation to this specific issue of sexual abuse you can review What should I do if I suspect my daughter is being a victim of sexual abuse?
You can also visit in this blog Educate; as well as visit Facebook Urquia Larralde (psykia), Instagram @psykia20 and Twitter @psykia20
I appreciate the comments, questions, suggestions or constructive criticisms that you want to make through psykia20@gmail.com They are welcome and I will gladly answer them.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE:
Knobel, Joseph (2013): El reto de ser padres, Publisher Melvin, C.A., Venezuela.
