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10 Ways to Protect Our Children from Child Abuse and Predators

By: Dr. Kathryn Seifert
 

Many want to know if there is more abuse of children today than years ago or are we just more aware of the problem. Child abuse has been around since the beginning of time. People are more aware of the problem and more willing to talk about it than ever before. Additionally, more active prosecution and media attention makes it seem like there has been an explosion of child abuse. While, it is very widespread, our awareness is more heightened than ever before. Now that we are more aware of the problem as a society, we need to take steps to protect children from further abuse.

1. TEACHING CHILDREN SKILLS. Reporting the inappropriate actions of an adult is not as easy for a child as it might seem. We raise children to do what adults tell them to do. We also tell them to do it without questioning why. Sometimes what we tell them to do is painful, such as getting a medical procedure. We still expect them to obey. How is a child to distinguish between a painful medical procedure with which a trusted adult tells them to comply and painful sexual abuse with which a trusted adult tells them to comply. Young children cannot do it at all. As children mature, we teach them "good touch, bad touch." This is helpful for some, butnot all. Which adult to obey is still very confusing for many children. It is up to the aduls in a child's life to teach and monitor where a child is, what he is doing, and who he is with.

2. TEACH CHILDREN THAT THE DANGER MAY COME FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, NEIGHBOR, HANDYMAN, GROCERY CLERK, SCOUT LEADER, OR STANGER. We are very good at teaching children about not going with strangers. We need to teach them that sometimes danger can come from a relative, scout leader, teacher, or choir leader. This is very confusing for children. You can tell a child, "when you are not sure about whether something a grown up is doing is OK, ask another grown up to help you. It is always OK to ask."

3. VICTIMS OF ABUSE OFTEN NEED THERAPY. Child abuse is a trauma for children. Some survive it very well with some support from their family. Others are severely traumatized and need therapy. Parents of abused children may need counseling to deal with their own feelings and learn how to best support their children. When in doubt, have the child assessed by a professonal for her therapy needs, the same as you would do if she had a broken arm.

4. TAKE ACTION WHEN A CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED. The main goal is to catch and stop the perpetrator of child abuse and provide services for the victim. The two main agencies that provide investigations of child abuse are the local, county or state police, and the county Department of Social Services. Both can be found in your phone book. It does not matter who you call first, either agency will advise you about what to do next. Then locate and make an appointment with a counselor or therapist for your child and yourself, if needed. Support anf healing is needed as soon as possible.

5. LOCK THEM UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY IS NOT ENOUGH. While we would like to throw them under the jail because their crime is so reprehensible, it is more important that they never hurt another child when they are released from incarceration. Most will be released from jail back into the community. Treatment while in jail and when released should be mandatory. It can reduce the risk of someone else's child being hurt.

6. IDENTIFYING CHILD ABUSE TO IMPROVE PREVENTION. Understanding the roots and characteristics of child abuse and child battery points us in the direction of effective prevention and treatment. A portion of adult child abusers and violent predators were abused, neglected, or exposed to domestic violence as children. Therefore, prevention of future sexual will involve efforts to stop childhood abuse, neglect, and domestic violence and treat the victims of these events. Insist, through your legislative process, that sufficient resources are put into protecting the children of your community from abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence.

7. SUPPORT RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM. We know a lot about the personalities of sexual and violent offenders through research. We know how to prevent some children from becoming perpetrators. We know how to assess risk of future violence or sexual offending to prevent premature releases. To not use what we know through research would be foolish and ill advised. You can support research into these important areas and the application of what is already known by writing to your legislators. Accepting anything less than the best, poses a danger to your child and everyone else's.

8. ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD. There are abandoned, abused and neglected children in many nations around the world. They are often recruited into criminal gangs, child sex rings and terrorist organizations, where they are housed, fed and abused. They are brainwashed to do whatever they are told to do, no matter how heinous it is by our standards. There are international organzations that try to help these children. I have been to these countries. We have so much more than they will ever have. We can do our part to support these organizations that help them.

9. LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT PREDATORS. There are certain characteristics of violent and sexual offenders that can help you spot a possible predator, but they are also very good at fooling people. They can be the nicest and most helpful person you ever met, but be interested in your child at the same time. Parents need to supervise their children and know about the adults they are with. It is not normal for an adult to spend all of his time with children and no time with other adults. Educate yourself about predators. There is lots of information online.

10. MONITOR YOUR CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES. Take your turn supervising a school or church activity for children. get to know the other parents, teachers, and coaches. There should always be 2 adults with every child activity. If another adult acts suspiciously, check it out. have open discussions with other parents about any concerns. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

This is not meant to add to the firestorm that is presently raging about sexual offending, but to start the dialogue about what we can do? We need to educate ourselves and take action to protect our children and, as you can see, there are many ways to do that.

Article Source: Main Articles

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