If a child says he was molested, parents should first insist on the fact that what happened is not his fault.
Parents should book a medical appointment and a psychiatric consultation as soon as possible to be properly guided in taking care of their abused child.
Prevention
Nobody wants their child to be the victim of a sexual aggressor but those events still happen every day. Here are a few measures to consider:
- Tell the child « if someone tries to touch your body or does something that makes you feel funny, say NO to that person”
- Teach your child that respecting an adult and authority does not mean to blindly obey.
- Choose a book that is appropriate for the age of your child and take the opportunity to discuss about sexual aggressions.
What to say to an abused child
- I love you.
- I am not judging you because you are not responsible for what happened.
- You don’t have to be ashamed or feel guilty. It is the aggressor who must feel responsible for the aggression.
- The aggression is an act of control and power and has nothing to do with seduction. It is not the way you dress or your behaviour that led to aggression.
- The aggressor plays on your silence. It is important to talk about what happened with someone you trust.
Intervention
It can be necessary to temporarily take the child away from his family until a healthy communication is brought back between all members of the family involved in the drama.
If you know a child who is victim of sexual violence, you must report it immediately to the youth protection service of your area. This report is confidential and can be made at any time of day or night.
Kids Help phone and the Canadian resource centre for victims of crime also have resources to help the victims and their parents.
Professional evaluation and early treatment of the sexually abused child and his family are the best way to avoid that a child develops serious problems as an adult.
