A Presentation By

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Addressing Tough Issues
The Dynamics of Child Sexual Assault

• A Presentation By
• Da Shawnna R. Townsend
• The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors
• 11101 Warwick Blvd Suite 2A
• [phone]

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Our Mission
To provide support, treatment, and advocacy for
persons whose lives have been disrupted by sexual
violence and to lead the community toward the
reduction of sexual violence through education
and awareness.
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Our Services

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
• Hospital Companionship/Advocacy
• Court Companionship/Advocacy
• Individual Group Counseling
• Community Educational Awareness
• Professional Training

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Sexual Assault
crosses all age, race, and economic lines.
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1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys
will be sexually assaulted before their 18th
birthday.
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The most vulnerable age for sexual assault is
between
7 and 13 years of age.
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29 of all forcible rapes in America
occurred when the victim was less than 11 years
old.
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Estimates suggests that males
account for 25 - 35 of child sexual abuse
victims.
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9 out of 10 child sexual abuse victims know their
perpetrator.
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Sexual Assault
Definitions
It is a crime of violence, power, and control.
It occurs when a person is forced, threatened, or
intimidated into any type of sexual contact
against his or her will. It can also be
accomplished through incapacitation of the
victim. Sexual assault can happen to anyone
regardless of gender, age, race, religion,
economic status, or social status. Perpetrators
may be family members, caretakers, intimate
partners, friends, acquaintances, or strangers.
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Child Sexual Assault
Definitions
Child sexual abuse is any exploitive or coercive
sexual experience involving a person under the
age of 18. This may include touching or
non-touching behaviors, including voyeurism,
exhibitionism, exposure to/involvement in
pornography, as well as fondling, intercourse,
and prostitution.
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Stages of Child Sexual Assault
Stages

• Intrusion
• Desensitization
• Isolation

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Intrusion
Stage One -
The offender intrudes on the private space/rights
of another. This may involve sexual or
non-sexual touching, suggestive remarks, or
conversation that is more intimate than the
relationship or situation warrants. In this
stage, the intruder is testing the water to see
how far they can go, while also setting up for
the next stage.
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Desensitization
Stage Two-
Over time, if the intrusive behavior continues,
especially in a social setting where overt sexual
assault would not be possible, the victim becomes
desensitized. The person on the receiving end
becomes desensitized or used to the behavior and
accepts it as harmless or whats to be
expected with that person.
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Desensitization
Stage Two-
The potential victim begins to believe the
offender doesnt really mean anything by
it. The perpetrator has set the stage for the
final step of the sexual assault process.
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Isolation
Stage Three -
This stage is the key to rape and child
molestation. The offender must have the
opportunity to carry out the offense, i.e.
getting the intended victim alone or separated
from the main group. Once alone, self-defense is
much more difficult
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Indicators of Child Sexual Assault
Indicators
Please Note The following signs should be
regarded carefully, as many of the behaviors
might be associated with other causes. It is
critical to consider the full range of
information concerning any child.
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Indicators in Ages 10 Under
Indicators

• Anger / Rage
• Loss of appetite
• Learning problems
• Inappropriate curiosity about sex
• Inappropriate knowledge of sexual acts
• Regressive behaviors
• Night Terrors or Altered Sleep Patterns
• Precocious Sex Play
• Excessive lying

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Indicators in Ages 10 Under
Indicators

• Sadness or depression
• Fearful of activities/places/objects not
  previously feared
• Running away
• Secretiveness
• Excessive masturbation
• Sexual preoccupation
• Tantrums
• Excessive daydreaming

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Indicators in Ages 10 Under
Indicators

• Failure / decline in school performance
• Withdrawn

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Indicators in Ages 11 Up
Indicators

• Guilt and/or shame
• Low self-esteem
• Poor body image
• Cruelty to others
• Mood swings
• Self-depreciation
• Sexual preoccupation
• Fear of homosexuality (males)
• Bi-sexuality (females)

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Indicators in Ages 11 Up
Indicators

• High rebellion
• Secretiveness
• Acting Out
• Substance Abuse
• Anorexia
• Depression
• Aggression
• Sexual abuse of younger children
• Sudden Irritability

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Indicators in Ages 11 Up
Indicators

• Sudden onset of anxiety
• Staring blankly
• Withdrawn

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Family Reactions
Family Issues
For a child who has been sexually abused, the
reaction of parents and other adults is crucial.
In order to respond sensitively and
appropriately to a child who is disclosing an
assault, the focus should remain on the childs
needs.
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Potential Parental Reactions
Family Issues

• Denial
• Guilt
• Anger
• Betrayal
• Re-victimization

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When A Child Discloses
Disclosure
It is very rare for a child to make a statement
about abuse which has not happened. It is much
more common for a child to remain silent, afraid
to tell anyone. This silence prevents the child
from being able to heal from the abuse.
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When A Child Discloses
Disclosure

• To effectively aid in a childs recovery from
  sexual assault, three key elements are needed.
• A positive sensitive response from the first
  person to which they disclose
• Having someone believe that the assault did occur
  (particularly the first person they tell)
• A system that promptly and appropriately responds
  to the victims needs

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When A Child Discloses
Disclosure

• During recovery, a child victim of sexual assault
  needs to
• establish a sense of safety and control
• be able to rid themselves of guilt by placing
  blame on the perpetrator
• restore self-esteem
• see themselves as normal

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When A Child Discloses
Disclosure

• During recovery, a child victim of sexual assault
  needs you to
• Believe them
• Remain calm
• Determine the childs immediate safety needs and
  act accordingly
• Let the child tell their story and listen do not
  assume anything or lead the child
• Do not avoid embarrassing subjects

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When A Child Discloses
Disclosure

• During recovery, a child victim of sexual assault
  needs you to
• Use whatever language the child uses to describe
  the assault
• Reassure the child that you believe them and are
  glad they told you about what happened
• Validate the childs feelings
• Let the child know that they have the right to be
  safe

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When A Child Discloses
Disclosure

• During recovery, a child victim of sexual assault
  needs you to
• Let the child know that they are not to blame for
  the abuse and that you will do your best to
  protect and give support
• Make a plan of action and let the child know what
  you plan to do
• Do not make promises you cannot keep
• Expect the unexpected

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Supporting The Family After Disclosure
Support
After the initial stress and upheaval of the
disclosure and reporting process, an entire
household can changed completely. A suggested
list of counseling and crisis services should be
available to aid in recovery. Follow-up with the
family to ensure the childs emotional and
physical needs are being met. If need be, report
any future disclosures of abuse to proper
authorities.
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Resources
Virginia Family Violence Sexual Assault
Hotline [phone] The Center for Sexual
Assault Survivors 757-599-9844 The Center for
Child Family Services 757-838-1960
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Thank You!
Question Answer Period