Everywhere, Every Day

Child Abuse Prevention Month: Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Kids &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 
By: &nbsp;Dr. Kristin Condon, Psy.D.
 The vast preponderance of sexual crimes against children goes unreported. &nbsp;As a result, even the statistics we have—already deeply concerning—underestimate the true scope. &nbsp;In the US, &nbsp;one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused, and roughly 42 million people are survivors of sexual abuse. &nbsp;
This is an undoubtedly uncomfortable topic, but our silence comes at a cost. &nbsp;It prevents kids from coming forward to safe adults who can protect them, and it allows perpetrators to continue offending. &nbsp;A pedophile, on average, commits 117 sexual crimes in a lifetime. 
90% of kids know their perpetrators, who use a process known as grooming to gradually build trust. &nbsp;Grooming involves granting attention, praise, and gifts or creating brief time alone with a child while working hard to endear parents’ trust.&nbsp; Grooming escalates into manipulation or threats to prevent kids from sounding alarms. 
Key warning signs: 
-Sudden fear around certain people/places, especially those new in your child's life;
-New/worsening sleep difficulties;
-Behavioral changes: &nbsp;increased withdrawal, outbursts, or agitation;
-Novel somatic symptoms;
-New patterns of over or under-eating;
-Academic decline;
-Pronounced distractibility or reduced motivation ;
-Mood fluctuations;
-Sensitivity to feeling misunderstood/out of control in seemingly innocuous situations. 
Bottom line - you know your child best. &nbsp;Inquire about these distress signals with care, as a myriad of developmental stressors can underlie changes. &nbsp;Children may initially deny abuse—not because it didn’t happen, but because kids feel confused or scared about not being believed or facing retaliation. &nbsp;Keep dialogue open and supportive - sharing traumatic encounters takes time, and recounting unfolds piecemeal over time 
Books can gently introduce conversations in safe, age-appropriate ways. &nbsp;Titles such as Some Parts Are Not for Sharing&nbsp;by J. Federico and It’s My Body&nbsp;by L. Freeman provide language and structure for discussions. &nbsp;Talking openly about body safety helps kids understand that these topics are tolerable, nameable, and believable in your family.
If you or your child have been abused, support is available. &nbsp;The RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 assistance in English and Spanish. Call 800-656-HOPE or text HOPE to 64673.&nbsp; Report abuse to the National Abuse Hotline at 800-4-A-CHILD or local law enforcement.

Local Event: Child Abuse Prevention Month

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Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child Abuse Prevention Month: Recognizing Sexual Abuse in Kids       
By:  Dr. Kristin Condon, Psy.D.
 The vast preponderance...

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Somonauk, IL

Child Abuse Prevention Month