Cactus Village Community

Sex-Abuse Explainer for Kids Source: The Arizona Republic

Jul 09, 2003

Sexual abuse is when someone touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable. The parts of your body that are covered by a bathing suit are your private parts, and no one has the right to touch you there. A quick check that your doctor or parent might do probably won?¡?¦t make you feel uncomfortable. This quick touch is usually OK. Trust your feelings. If it feels uncomfortable, tell someone.

What can children do? Tell an adult if:

??|??nSomeone hurts you or makes you feel bad.
??|??nSomeone touches you in ways that are not OK.
??|??nSomeone warns you not to tell.
??|??nYou feel like hurting yourself or someone else.
??|??nYou feel like damaging something or setting a fire.
??|??nYou can also call Child Help USA?¡?¦s hotline at 1-800-422-4453.

What can adults do?
??|??nWatch for changes in a child?¡?¦s behavior.
??|??nListen to the child and believe him/her.
??|??nWatch for red flags, such as an adult who spends all of his/her free time with children.
??|??nKnow an abuser can be male or female; a child, a teenager or an adult; a friend, a neighbor or a family member.
??|??nTalk to your child about good and bad secrets, good and bad touches.
??|??nIf a child is sexually abused, don?¡?¦t change or wash the child. Take him/her to the emergency room.
??|??nCall the police. Don?¡?¦t try to take matters into your own hands.
??|??nFor help, you can also call Child Help USA?¡?¦s anonymous national hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can take calls in 140 languages. 1-800-4ACHILD or 1-800-422-4453.
??|??nFor information, visit www.childhelpusa.org
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