Child Sexual Abuse & Trauma
Acknowledging that children are not always safe from sexual predators and talking about childhood sexual abuse can be very difficult. Introducing the idea of physical safety with a young child can be challenging. Often, children who are sexually abused attempt to hide their trauma out of shame or fear. Early treatment of sexual trauma is imperative. There are many resources to help parents teach their children about physical boundaries, encourage children to report inappropriate behavior by peers and adults, and identify signs of sexual abuse. For children and teens who have experienced sexual abuse, there are resources to help them begin process their trauma with help from an adult.
Helpful Websites
American Psychological Association
Books for Parents and Caregivers
The Right Touch: A Read-Aloud Story to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse
by Sandy Kleven
For Teens
Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse (workbook)
by Patti Feuereisen
It Happened To Me: A Teen’s Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse
(workbook) by William Lee Carter