Kids & Teens Waratah - Sexual Abuse
Kids & Teens Waratah provides specialised counselling to children and adolescents who have experienced domestic violence and or sexual abuse. Kids and Teens Waratah places great value on supporting the whole family through the healing process. Counsellors can provide advocacy as well as information and referral to other community organisations where appropriate. Kids and Teens Waratah is a child friendly, free and confidential service provided in Bunbury, Collie and Busselton. Appointments can be made by calling 9792 4955
The Child Sexual Abuse Therapeutic Service
The Child Sexual Abuse Therapeutic Service (CSATS) provides counselling and support to children and adolescents up to 18 years old who have experienced sexual abuse and those who display problem sexual behaviours. Counsellors will meet initially meet with parents or carers before making an appropriate time to meet with the child or adolescent. Counsellors may request to meet with parents during the counselling process.
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
“Child sexual abuse is the involvement of dependent children and adolescents in sexual activities with an adult or any person older or bigger, where there is a difference in age, size or power, in which the child is used as a sexual object for the gratification of the older person’s needs or desires. The child is unable to give informed consent due to the imbalance of power. This includes all types of sexual encounter and behaviour, including grooming, sexually suggestive language, the use of pornography, touching and penetration.”
Some Possible Effects of Child Sexual Abuse
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How Can I Support my Child?
Believe your child and let them know that you believe them.
Tell your child the abuse was not their fault.
Reassure your child they have done the right thing by telling you about the abuse.
Tell your child you will do all you can to keep them safe.
Let you child know you still love them.
Give them time to talk to you at their own pace.
Explain to your child in words they can understand what is happening with any court or legal action which may be taking place.
Try to be calm when talking with your child as they may be confused by your emotions. For example if you show you are extremely angry that the abuse has occurred, your child may internalise this as you being angry at them.
Try to keep a predictable and consistent routine.
Give you child choices - children who have experienced abuse often feel powerless. Try to provide situations where your child can have some choice.
Be patient with your child’s difficult behaviours, this is their way of telling you they are not ok.
Acknowledge your child’s feelings. Let them know their feelings are normal and valid.
Some myths about child sexual abuse
There are many myths about child sexual abuse that excuse the actions of the abuser. It is important to understand that the responsibility of the abuse is never that of the child.
MYTH |
FACT |
Children are sexy |
A child’s appearance can never excuse the actions of the abuser. |
Children don’t mind the abuse otherwise they wouldn’t let it go on for too long |
Children are often very frightened and intimidated by the person abusing them, thus making it almost impossible for them to tell anybody. Children are often threatened not to tell. Children often do let others know that something is wrong by changes in their behaviour. |
The mother is just as much to blame |
A mother may feel that it is her fault because she let her child have contact with the abuser. There is no way of knowing that this could have happened. The person responsible for the abuse is always the abuser. |
He only did it because he loves children |
Sexual activity with children is an abuse of power and not an act of love. |
Women never sexually abuse children |
While the majority of those who sexually abuse children are men. Some women do abuse their own and others children. |
The mother must have been unable to satisfy the partners sexual needs |
This myth states that women who are sexually unavailable to their partners cause men to turn to their children or other peoples children for sex. In no circumstance should a man believe he has the right to have his sexual needs met by anybody. There is no link between the sexual relationship of the offender with his partner and child sexual abuse. It is common for women to blame themselves when a child is abused, however the only person responsible is the abuser. |
He was abused as a child so he could no help it |
Some people who abuse children have been abused. However most people who have been abused do not go on to abuse their own or other people’s children. |
Some myths about child sexual abuse
Kids & Teens Waratah is a program that forms a part of a larger organisation. Waratah Support Centre recognises that sexual abuse of a child can have impacts on the whole family. For this reason we also offer:
> Counselling and Support to Caregivers – it is common for Caregivers to have their own feelings about their child’s experience. Some common feelings expressed by parents and carers are anger, guilt, shame and sadness. When a parent or carer has experienced child sexual abuse, it is common that feelings related to their own experiences can arise.
> Education/information – It is helpful for Parents and Caregivers to have an understanding of how trauma impacts on children. This allows Caregivers to have a deeper understanding of their child’s behaviours and how best to respond. Waratah Support Centre offers information sessions for parents and carers to enable them to understand the effects of trauma on children and develop ways of supporting their child.
> Groups - There may be opportunities for Parents and Caregivers to attend therapeutic groups where they can meet other Parents, Carers and survivors of Sexual assault/abuse.
Supporting yourself is so important to assist you in supporting your child.
