Note to Parents:
When Your Child Says
It's Been Abused...
Do Not Ignore your Child
The worst thing you can do is ignore a childs cry for help. If you ignore the abuse you are no better than the abuser. You also become an abuser. This is called neglect.
Remember: There are Many Different
Kinds of Abuse
Usually when people hear the word "abuse" they only think in terms of physical or sexual abuse. The truth is you don't even have to touch your child to abuse them. Click here to find a list with explanations of different kinds of abuse.
No Two Children are Alike
No two children will respond to abuse the same way. One child may become very insecure and become anti-social. Another child may respond by lashing out at others. The second child may begin to get in trouble at school. There are still other ways children can respond to the many types of abuse. You must learn about your child and look for changes in behavior. Whether you view them as positive or negative isn't important. It's that there was a change that is important.
Talk Openly to your Child about Abuse
Most children don't know they're being abused at the time the abuse is taking place. Sit down with your child and discuss the different types of abuse and what to do if they are being abused. The more you talk about it the easier it is to stop the abuse from happening or keep it from continuing.
Listen to your Child
Be an active listener. Listen not just to what is said but to what is not said. If your child talks in his/her sleep listen carefully to what is said and take it seriously. It could be a cry for help.
If you Know that a Child is being
Abused -- Stop it!
Don't let a child suffer. If you suspect abuse contact someone. Call the police. Call the Department of Children and Families. Call Someone. Do what you can to stop it!
Silence is Consent
I can't stress this point enough. If you let it continue you are hurting the child just as though you yourself were doing the abuse. If you suspect tell someone!!
|