Use proper names for body parts, don't force hugs: how to protect your kids from in-person sexual abuse
- Written by Divna Haslam, Senior Research Fellow (Faculty of Law/ Health) & Clinical Psychologist, Queensland University of Technology
We know it can seem easier to bury your head in the sand, when it comes to the hideous issue of child sexual abuse.
But child sexual abuse is disturbingly common.
Last week, the Australian Federal Police announced it had busted an alleged child sex offender network, warning
child exploitation in Australia is becoming more prolific … this type of offending is becoming more violent and brazen.
The good news is when parents are empowered with accurate information, we can better protect our children.
Read more: Why children need to be taught more about their human rights
We are researchers in the prevention of child abuse, working across psychology, education and law.
In a separate article, we have looked at how parents can protect their children from online sexual abuse.
This article looks at how to protect kids from in-person sexual abuse.
How common is in-person sexual abuse?
In-person, child sexual abuse is defined as any sexual act, done to a child (under 18 years old) where true consent is absent and where the act constitutes misuse or taking advantage of the child.
This includes with touch and without it (flashing, voyeurism, or masturbating in front of children).
It can occur anywhere a perpetrator has access to children and privacy, such as in homes, schools and sporting complexes.
But sexual abuse is often not reported, and measurement of it varies.
Read more: Child sexual abuse: hearing the cry for help is not always a simple task
No fully representative Australian study exist yet, so it is difficult to know just how many Australian children are abused. However, a 2010 Victorian study found 7% of boys and 17% of girls are victims of some type of sexual abuse.
Most abusers are not strangers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 86% of victims knew their abuser.
Perpetrators can include family friends, teachers, coaches, neighbours, parents, step-parents, siblings or other family members. It can also involve other children.
Parents have a special role
Although society more broadly has a responsibility to protect children, parents have a special role in this regard.
Firstly, parents can provide barriers to abuse via monitoring, involvement and attention.
Secondly, they play a key role in developing children’s self-esteem, confidence and sexual knowledge, which makes young people less susceptible to abuse.
Finally, informed parents are better able to respond appropriately should abuse occur.
Research suggests two-thirds of mothers talk to children about sexual abuse, which is reassuring. But many fail to cover critical prevention aspects, such what to do if someone touches your genitals.
Researchers don’t know exactly why this is, but it may be to do with lack of knowledge or confidence about exactly what to say.
Mothers and fathers should be involved, and conversations are needed with both girls and boys. The average age of first sexual abuse is somewhere between six and nine years old, so parents need to start thinking about protection early.
Tips for protecting your child
The following advice is based on research identifying known factors that reduce or increase a child’s risk of abuse and the best prevention research.
Authors: Divna Haslam, Senior Research Fellow (Faculty of Law/ Health) & Clinical Psychologist, Queensland University of Technology