We Must Take Responsibility

A Child's Safety is an Adult's Job

Excerpt from Darkness to Light Website (www.d2l.com) 

Children are often taught how to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse - and that's important for them to learn - but it's no substitute for adult responsibility. We make sure children wear seat belts. We walk them across busy streets. We store toxic household cleaners out of reach. Why, then, would we leave the job of preventing child sexual abuse solely to children?

Imagine How Difficult it is for a Child to Say "NO" to a Parent, a Teacher, a Coach, or Clergy

Even the adults we trust to protect children can't always be trusted. Coaches, teachers, clergy, and parents are authority figures children feel they can trust. Yet, a large percentage of those who sexually abuse children are from this group. These are adults who have the opportunity to "groom" children with affection and attention, making it difficult for children to identify certain behaviors as abuse. And they know that children have been taught to "mind" them. This is why programs that focus on adult responsibility are essential.

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Mama Bear Speaking here - think about what that excerpt said- a Parent. We are often so busy looking outside our family circle, victims of child sexual abuse are often unprotected from the threat within their very own homes- whether it's a parent, sibling, cousin, aunt or uncle, grandparent, babysitter, or the family member of a friend. We shouldn't necessarily go around thinking the worst of everyone, but realize that the potential is there. Create an offensive strategy so that it doesn't happen and also be cognizant of the signs of sexual abuse from the abuser and the victim. That is why our education as adults is essential.  

Secondly, imagine how difficult it is for a child to say "no" to a Peer. 40% of child sexual abuse is from another child or a teenager. Did you see that statistic coming?

We cannot leave our children to sort this issue out for themselves. It's going to take work on our part to Understand, Communicate, and take Action to protect our children from sexual abuse.