Sexual abuse in children occurs when adults force children into sexual contact for their own sexual satisfaction. Childhood sexual abuse is a very important social problem today. Because exposure to sexual abuse during childhood negatively affects the child's psychological, social and mental development.
Physical symptoms in abused children; It is seen as pain in the genital area or around the mouth, color change, bleeding, pain experienced more than once while going to the toilet, and incontinence unrelated to toilet training. Emotional symptoms are; It is seen as sleep difficulties at night, nightmares, outbursts of anger, running away from home or school, self-harming behavior and fear of certain places or people.
Children should be informed about sexual abuse at an early age as possible. At the age when they start talking and expressing their wishes, they should be taught the names of their body parts, and they should be taught to say no when their private parts are touched when they do not trust or do not want to. When they reach an age where they can more easily understand concepts such as safe and dangerous, the subject can be explained in simple and concrete sentences through body safety. The most important point when telling these things to the child is not to scare or make the child think that someone will be punished when he tells about an event.
As a parent, it is necessary to respect the child's boundaries. It is necessary not to touch the child without his permission, and not to allow people such as neighbors or relatives to kiss or hug him, even if the child objects. Because even if these touches are not for sexual purposes, they will reduce the child's possibility of defending himself against other touches.
If your child tells you something about sexual abuse. If it starts to sound, it is necessary to listen to it until the end, without directing it as much as possible. Because questions can confuse the child. It is also very important to stay calm. Children supported by their families during this process are better able to cope with the situation they are in. It is necessary to tell the child that what happened to him is not his fault and that you will always continue to love him.
If a situation of sexual abuse occurs, it is necessary to initiate a legal process under the supervision of an expert. The initiation of the necessary legal and protective process will reduce the emotional turmoil experienced by the child.
Helping children who are victims of sexual abuse to overcome this event, regaining the child's self-esteem and self-confidence, purifying him/her from the feeling of guilt, helping the family Support should be sought from an expert in this process to ensure that the child receives support on how to help the child and to prevent the child from developing a serious psychological disorder in adulthood.
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