Responding to Child Sexual Abuse
I know from personal experience how important it is to walk through the process of getting your child help if they have been sexually abused.
When I was a child I remember telling my Mother that my Uncle had touched me in my private area.
She took me to my family doctor, who told her I had had intercourse, but even after that she just shrugged it off.
Sexual Abuse as a Child
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When a child of any age tells you they have been something like that you need to believe them and back that up with a plan.
Your child should see a doctor, so he/she can be checked for possible injury.
Then you need to find them a good counselor or doctor that specializes in their age group.
I know for our daughter, who we just adopted in 2009, is 19 years old, sees our primary care doctor for 30 mins a week just to talk and get things off her chest.
This doctor is a good listener, a very compassionate person and a woman. That may not work for your child, but it really depends on their age.
With my daughter we discuss things that were done to her, but how different her life is now. How happy and safe she is now.
My husband and I both shower her with love and praise. She needs that and she needs to know that no one will ever hurt her again.
Sexual Child Abuse Effects
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You need to let them know that they are innocent and clean in your eyes.
That it was the abuser that needs to feel bad, not your child. No matter how old the abused person is they are ALWAYS innocent!
Timing is everything in an abuse situation. Always listen and pay attention to your child. If their personality changes or they show the signs of childhood sexual abuse get help immediately. The sooner you get it out in the open the better the treatment for your child.