Article: Sex Offender Registration in CT - It's Not That Simple

Sexual Offender Treatment

"Children are best protected by giving them the knowledge and skills necessary for their safety and well-being."

The importance of sex education for children

The effects of sexual abuse

Do Something About It:

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Connecticut Sexual Assault
Crisis Services, Inc.
110 Connecticut Blvd.
East Hartford, CT   06108

Tel/TTY: 860-292-9881
Fax: 860-291-9335

Hotlines (1549 bytes)

Call (888) 999-5545
or
(888) 568-8332 (Espaņol)

to be connected to
the sexual assault crisis service
nearest you

Local Rape Crisis Centers

Break the Silence! (9393 bytes)

Centers Provide:

  • 24-hour crisis hotline

  • information and referral

  • advocacy for children and non-abusing parent with police and court

  • counseling

  • support groups and more.

More Information:

www.connsacs.org

What is Child Sexual Abuse?
A guide for parents to teach their children personal
safety rules to reduce the risk of sexual abuse.

Cadencia Brade, Former Dir. of Training & Outreach
Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services

 
 Sexual abuse includes:

  • Fondling or touching the child's private parts or forcing the child to touch another's private parts
  • Exposing children to adult sexual activity or pornographic materials
  • Having children perform in pornographic movies or pose for pornographic materials
  • Sexual intercourse

  Statistics:

  • 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted before age 18,
  • 85% of child sexual abuse is committed by relatives, close family friends or an adult that the child knows and trusts,
  • The median age that girls and boys are sexually abused is 9 years old.
  • In Connecticut, 30% of victims seen at sexual assault crisis services in 1996-97 were under the age of 18

  Teach your child these personal safety rules:

  • The difference between safe and unsafe touches; what is appropriate physical affection.
  • The proper names for all their private parts; many children are not able to tell about the abuse because they don't know the words to use.
  • Safety rules apply to all adults; not just strangers.
  • Their bodies belong to them and it is not okay for another person to touch their private parts.
  • It is okay to say no if someone tries to touch their body or do things that make them feel uncomfortable; no matter who the person is
  • They should not keep secrets about touching, no matter what the person says; if someone touches them, tell and keep telling until someone listens!

  Note:

  • You may want to include your conversation about personal safety rules when teaching your child about fire safety, bike safety, or traffic safety.
  • You should role-play the above rules (lessons) several times. Do not expect your child to memorize them.

  Signs of Possible Abuse include:

These signs are possible indicators and do not necessarily mean sexual abuse has occurred.

  • excessive clinging or crying
  • sleep disturbances, nightmares
  • fear of particular adults or places
  • bedwetting
  • problems with school (refusal to attend or a drop in grades)
  • depression; withdrawal from family and friends
  • alcohol or drug use
  • change in eating habits
  • frequent touching of private parts
  • unexplained bleeding, pain, irritation of mouth or private parts
  • any unexplained change in behavior or development of new behaviors

Ways to support you child if s/he has been    abused:

  • Believe your child.
  • Reassure your child that her or his safety is important.
  • Assure your child that she/he is not to blame for the abuse.
  • Remember that how you respond to your child is critical to his or her ability to deal with the trauma of the abuse.
  • Get your child medical help

Explain to your child what you need to do to help him or her

  • Get support for yourself; this is a very difficult issue for any parent to handle.
  • Call your local sexual assault crisis center for assistance for your child and yourself.

What Parents Should Know

  • Every child is vulnerable to sexual abuse regardless of cultural background or income level.
  • Children need to feel loved, valued, and protected.
  • Children are best protected by giving them the knowledge and skills necessary for their safety and well-being.
  • Often there are no physical signs of sexual abuse.
  • Many cases of child sexual abuse go unreported because the child is afraid or ashamed to tell anyone what has happened.
  • The offender may have threatened to hurt a family member, or the child feels that s/he is to blame for the abuse.
  • It is important to show interest in your child's activities; let her/him know that you are available to talk and listen; allow your child to share thoughts and feelings with you.
  • The child is never to blame for the abuse; children cannot prevent abuse, only the offender can.
  • Studies suggest that personal safety rules can be taught and understood by children age 3 and up.
  • There is little evidence that children make false allegations of abuse; what is more common is a child denying that abuse happened when it did.

  For help or to learn more: Go to www.connsacs.org for a center near you.

Or call toll-free: (888) 999-5545
en Espaņol: (888) 568-8332

You will be connected to the nearest sexual assault crisis service.
Each center can provide:

  • 24-hour crisis hotline
  • information and referral
  • advocacy for children and non-abusing parent with police and court
  • counseling
  • support groups and more.