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CyberDodo fights against sexual aggression (2-33)

What are the consequences of child sexual abuse? 2/2

It is impossible to find one single answer, since the after-effects of sexual aggression for the child are going to depend on the type of abuse, it's frequency, the perpetrator, the victim's age, his psychosocial development, information that he will probably have received, as well as support offered by those around him.

To illustrate the paragraph above, specialists estimate that a child who is informed of the subject and is abused just once by a stranger will suffer from less after-effects over a shorter period of time than another child violated regularly by his father or stepfather.

How do we fight against sexual abuse in which children are victims?

In order for sexual abuse to occur, a perpetrator must find a victim, prevention should therefore be carried out in 2 ways. Detection (by, for example, medical and school staff) of risky behaviours and potentially dangerous psychological profiles are not part of the scope of this case file, we will not talk about it any longer, except to point out that it is indispensable.

With regard to children, studies on this subject show that sexual education respectful of a child and his culture is an excellent method to inform and help him be aware about sexual abuse (In this regard, see tome no. 6 of the CyberDodo Edupack focusing on the fight against sexual abuse).

Informing children and making them aware of sexual abuse is fundamental

What to do in the event of sexual abuse?

Firstly don't close your eyes and listen to a child who has the courage to talk! Let us remember that the sexual aggressor of a child is often her father or stepfather, many mothers cannot believe that such a terrible thing could have happened and that their companion could be the perpetrator.

Often the abused child also can't talk about it and is eaten up by fear, shame and guilt. It is therefore fundamental that those around him notice changes in his behaviour at home, at school, with his friends, etc. and create the necessary conditions to help him talk about what he is going through.

The authorities also have a lot of responsibility in the handling of sexual abuse complaints where children are concerned. When evidence is collected from the child, it is essential that it be done by a trained professional (psychologist, etc.), so that the process of reporting of abuses is not a new trial that she has to go through. Increasingly countries also have access to video recordings to spare the child from going through the traumatising repetition of what she has gone through.

We would like to point out that at the bottom of each page of the site www.CyberDodo.org you can see a child with a red banner bearing the word ‘SOS'; by clicking on the words ‘Find help' right next to him, anyone can have access to aid services and the help available for children from his country.

If any information is missing, please send it to us by contacting (at) cyberdodo.com; we will immediately update the list.

There is also an instrument available to help you make online reports of abuse committed against children: Virtual Global Task Force

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