Back to Megan's Law Page Read More About It: Article: Sex Offender Registration in CT - It's Not That Simple Sexual Offender Treatment in the 90's and Beyond Sexual Abuse & Assault Fact/Myth Quiz "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: Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services">       Back to Megan's Law Page Read More About It: Article: Sex Offender Registration in CT - It's Not That Simple Sexual Offender Treatment in the 90's and Beyond Sexual Abuse & Assault Fact/Myth Quiz "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: Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc. 110 Connecticut Blvd. East Hartford, CT   06108 Tel/TTY: 860-292-9881 Fax: 860-291-9335 Call (888) 999-5545 or (888) 568-8332 (Espaņol) to be connected to the sexual assault crisis service nearest you Local Rape Crisis Centers 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 info@connsacs.org Recommended Links: How to educate your children about sexual issues: SIECUS organization's parent pages Graphics by Vikimouse This page sponsored by Atty. Susan K. Smith www.smith-lawfirm.com 39 Russ Street Second Floor Hartford, CT 06106-1566 Voice & VM: (860) 297-0035 Fax: (860) 297-0040 152 Simsbury Rd. (Rt. 10) Riverdale Farms Bldg. 9 Avon, CT 06001 Voice: (860) 678-1860 Fax: (860) 297-0040 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, 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: Center for Women & Children of E.Fairfield County (203) 332- 8283 Central CT Sexual Assault Crisis Service (860) 635-4424 (Middletown) Greater New Haven Sexual Assault Crisis Service (203) 624- 2273 Hartford Region YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Service (860) 522-6666 Milford Rape Crisis Center (203) 878-1212 New Britain YWCA Sexual Assault Crisis Service (860) 223-1787 Northwestern CT Sexual Assault Crisis Service (860) 456-2789 (Willimantic) Rape & Sexual Abuse Crisis Center, Inc (203) 329-2929 (Stamford) Susan B Anthony Project (860)482-7133 (Torrington) Women's Center of Greater Danbury Sexual Assault Crisis Service (203) 731-5204 Women's Center of Southeastern CT Sexual Assault Crisis Service (860) 442-4357(New London) Women's Emergency Shelter Sexual Assault Crisis Service (203) 753-3613 (Waterbury) 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.