All information courtesy of the Malaysian Coalition for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (MCPCSA)
What is child sexual abuse?Putting objects or body parts inside the vagina, mouth or anus Touching of private parts Showing pornography to a child Photographing a child in sexual poses Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts Obscene telephone calls Rape Oral sex Sodomy Prostitution Voyeurism Kissing Fondling Exhibitionism Nightmares, trouble sleeping, fear of the dark Sudden mood swings – fear, anger or withdrawal Fear of certain people and places Bedwetting or thumb-sucking by an older child Problems socialising Feelings of helplessness/ powerlessness Hiding a “secret” Talking about a new older friend Self-mutilation, suicidal tendencies Drug or alcohol addiction Wearing many layers of clothes Low self-esteem Sexualised behaviours Inability to concentrate Eating disorders Believe
Children rarely invent stories. They hesitate telling because they fear nobody will believe them. Believing a child is a major step in helping him/her overcome the trauma. Statements like “I believe you” or “It’s not your fault” will help the healing. Be calm
A child may misinterpret your anger at the abuse as disgust for him/her. Staying calm will also help him/her regain his/her dignity, which is often the first to go. Assurances like, “Other children have had similar experiences,” or “Let’s see what we can do,” could encourage the child to open up more. Be affirming
Abused children are often confused about their feelings, as a result of manipulation by their abusers. They must be allowed and encouraged to say what they feel. And their feelings must be taken seriously and affirmed. “I know this isn’t easy,” and “You’re very brave to be opening up,” convey empathy, concern and support a child’s need. Prepare the child for what will happen next
Abused children feel helpless. They need to know that there are people who can help. They must also be told what they could do, i.e. how to relate the incident, whom to tell, and what support is needed. Be supportive
Talking about the abuse can be as traumatic as the abuse itself. Adults must give the child as much support as possible, especially when the child begins to open up. Reassure the child that you’ll be there for as long as it takes, and that you’ll go through it together. Report the abuse
This is one way to stop the abuse. Moreover, everybody is mandated to report all confirmed or suspected cases of abuse within 48 hours.
Learn to talk/listen to children about touching and relationships Recognise signs of sexual abuse Familiarise yourself with support services e.g. whom to call Volunteer your professional skills e.g. in the communication field Spread awareness and disseminate information Volunteer at coalition agencies, etc. Learn to listen to the children around you Volunteer to be trained as a para-counselor
Children (under 18 years)
Know who to call for help Know your rights Train child care providers on the topic of child sexual abuse Implement protection policy in centres and set up internal support systems with relevant authorities Report child sexual abuse Learn to give awareness talks using P.S. The Children, Malaysian Child Resource Institute (MCRI) materials Be familiar with support services Learn to use the information kit on child sexual abuse Attend training conducted by coalition partners
Endorse and implement a Personal Safety Programme at all levels Train teachers, counsellors and peer counsellors on child sexual abuse, especially handling disclosure Include child sexual abuse in the university curriculum for Medicine, Education, Law and Social Sciences Services (mainly psychology and social work) Implement protection policy Encourage and promote research and publications Train child protection teams and Juvenile Welfare Committee members on the topic of child sexual abuse Implement a Personal Safety Programme at activity centres Train social workers on how to support and prepare children for court Support child sexual abuse programmes Train Crime Prevention Club members on child sexual abuse Specialise in interviewing child victims of sexual abuse Educate the public about child sexual abuse regularly Be child sensitive. Refrain from disclosing the name of the child and non-offending parent/ guardian. Do not disclose the name of the offender if the offender is the father or a relative Refrain from taking photographs of the sexually abused child or interview him/her Stop focusing on the victim’s stories Follow up on cases that you have published Support related campaigns, like the annual Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week (CSAAW) in April Begin dialogues with coalition agencies on how religious groups can help prevent child sexual abuse Train staff on child sexual abuse and healing techniques, child development and living skills Implement a Personal Safety Programme for children Advocate child-friendly remand and rehabilitation centres Understand child sexual abuse Advocate child-friendly courts Volunteer as resource persons Understand the complexities of child sexual abuse Report child sexual abuse Child-friendly one-stop centres for cases where the child is given an appointment time and all the relevant doctors will be available
Corporations
Support with fundingProvide nurseries at work whose staff are trained and knowledgeable about child sexual abuse
Note: i) The “Protection Policy” referred to in this article is a recommended policy by P.S. The Children for schools and it will only be implemented in one if the principal is open to its curriculum.
ii) The “Personal Safety Programme” referred to several times in this article is a programme conducted by P.S. The Children to help children develop their interpersonal and communication skills, while training them to protect themselves.
What is child sexual abuse?
Any act of a person who forces, tricks or threatens a child into having sexual contact with him or her for his or her own sexual gratification. This includes:
What are the signs?
However, not all sexually abused children show these symptoms/signs and not all these effects are caused by being sexually abused.
What to do when they tell?
Children rarely invent stories. They hesitate telling because they fear nobody will believe them. Believing a child is a major step in helping him/her overcome the trauma. Statements like “I believe you” or “It’s not your fault” will help the healing.
A child may misinterpret your anger at the abuse as disgust for him/her. Staying calm will also help him/her regain his/her dignity, which is often the first to go. Assurances like, “Other children have had similar experiences,” or “Let’s see what we can do,” could encourage the child to open up more.
Abused children are often confused about their feelings, as a result of manipulation by their abusers. They must be allowed and encouraged to say what they feel. And their feelings must be taken seriously and affirmed. “I know this isn’t easy,” and “You’re very brave to be opening up,” convey empathy, concern and support a child’s need.
Abused children feel helpless. They need to know that there are people who can help. They must also be told what they could do, i.e. how to relate the incident, whom to tell, and what support is needed.
Talking about the abuse can be as traumatic as the abuse itself. Adults must give the child as much support as possible, especially when the child begins to open up. Reassure the child that you’ll be there for as long as it takes, and that you’ll go through it together.
This is one way to stop the abuse. Moreover, everybody is mandated to report all confirmed or suspected cases of abuse within 48 hours.
You have a role to play
Parents
All adults
Children (under 18 years)
Child Care Centres
NGO & Community Service Organisations
Join as a coalition partner and assign one member of your organisation to do the following:
Ministry of Education, Schools, Colleges and Universities
Social Welfare Department
Police
Media
Religious Organisations
Orphanages, Shelter Centres, Remand/Rehabilitation Centres & Centres for Children with Special Needs
Legal Sectors
Medical Profession – Government and Private Sectors
Corporations
Hold child sexual abuse talks for employees
Support with fundingProvide nurseries at work whose staff are trained and knowledgeable about child sexual abuse
Treat all sexually abused children with dignity and respect – it is never the child’s fault.
8 steps you can take to protect children from sexual abuse
1. Attend a Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse workshop to understand the issue. Call us now to find out more: Malaysian Coalition for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, (03)7784 4344/ 55.
1. Attend a Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse workshop to understand the issue. Call us now to find out more: Malaysian Coalition for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, (03)7784 4344/ 55.
2. Talk to your friends and relatives about child sexual abuse. Give them the facts and correct the myths. Openly disagree with people who make comments that blame victims, and which you know are not true.
3. Reach out and encourage your workplace, children’s school, place of worship, community centre, hospital or association to organise two-hour awareness talks on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, and implement the Personal Safety Programme.
4. Build a child’s self-esteem and teach them about feelings and the importance of trusting how one feels.
5. Teach children the names of their private body parts to equip them with the vocabulary they need to relate accurately what could happen to them.
6. Support children’s efforts to voice their concerns, objections and feelings, especially about who is touching them, and maintain an environment in which children feel safe talking about their feelings and problems.
7. Base your own relationships on respect. Listen to and honour your partner’s wishes. Never push or force someone into unwanted sexual contact.
8. Donate to programmes that address sexual abuse. Give money or your time to raise funds to support and sustain prevention and treatment services.
3. Reach out and encourage your workplace, children’s school, place of worship, community centre, hospital or association to organise two-hour awareness talks on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, and implement the Personal Safety Programme.
4. Build a child’s self-esteem and teach them about feelings and the importance of trusting how one feels.
5. Teach children the names of their private body parts to equip them with the vocabulary they need to relate accurately what could happen to them.
6. Support children’s efforts to voice their concerns, objections and feelings, especially about who is touching them, and maintain an environment in which children feel safe talking about their feelings and problems.
7. Base your own relationships on respect. Listen to and honour your partner’s wishes. Never push or force someone into unwanted sexual contact.
8. Donate to programmes that address sexual abuse. Give money or your time to raise funds to support and sustain prevention and treatment services.
I really enjoyed reading your post. I know that the pain caused by child abuse is almost more than anyone can imagine. I found a website recently that has a great coloring book to help children know how to stay away from abusers. I have copies for my family. In fact, a church in our town uses them, too. It's at http://www.drbethrobinson.com. Anyway we can help childre protect themselves needs to be spread.
Your posting and pictures veri interesting. Im dr widodo Judarwanto, Jakarta Indonesia. I alwaya support overall your opinions. Please navigate and learn to http://pedophiliasexabuse.blogspot.com/, and join this group : FIGHT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND PEDOPHILIA (Facebook Group). dr Widodo Judarwanto SpA, Jakarta Indonesia