According to the Centers for Disease Control, it is estimated that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys have experienced an episode of sexual abuse while younger than 18 years.
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What Can I Do?

I try to educate myself and protect my kids to the best of my ability. According to RAINN, it is recommended to:

Discuss sexuality and sexual abuse using age appropriate terms.

Talk with your child
Teach about body parts
Explain body parts are private

Be involved in your child's life.
Be available - so your child can come to you.
Speak up!! If you become aware of someone violating a child, please speak up.

Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept by Jayneen Sanders and illustrated by Craig Smith is a great book to help you discuss child sexual abuse with your little one. I agree with Sanders, "forewarned is forearmed." Please refer to the video above which I recorded the first time I read the book to my 3 year old. I'm very proud of my son and his reaction to this beautifully written and illustrated book. Please refer to this link for the full MOMMBY review of the book.

Please also share this video with your kids. It is a body safety song written by Jayneen Sanders and Debra Byrne. Performed by Lucille, Mattea, and Oliver.

MOMMBY LLC was not paid for this review. MOMMBY LLC did receive a free copy of the book to facilitate the review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Please refer to the MOMMBY Advertising and Link Policy for more information.
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Suspect Sexual Abuse
The following is an excerpt from the American Humane Association about some behavioral changes a child may exhibit if she or he was sexually abused.

Children up to age 3 may exhibit:

Fear or excessive crying
Vomiting
Feeding problems
Bowel problems
Sleep disturbances
Failure to thrive

Children ages 2 to 9 may exhibit:

Fear of particular people, places or activities
Regression to earlier behaviors such as bed wetting or stranger anxiety
Victimization of others
Excessive masturbation
Feelings of shame or guilt
Nightmares or sleep disturbances
Withdrawal from family or friends
Fear of attack recurring
Eating disturbances

Symptoms of sexual abuse in older children and adolescents include:

Depression
Nightmares or sleep disturbances
Poor school performance
Promiscuity
Substance abuse
Aggression
Running away from home
Fear of attack recurring
Eating disturbances
Early pregnancy or marriage
Suicidal gestures
Anger about being forced into situation beyond one’s control
Pseudo-mature behaviors

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Resources

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Works Cited

American Humane Association. "Child Sexual Abuse." 9 Nov. 2011
<http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-sexual-abuse.html>.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2005). Adverse Childhood Experiences Study: Data and
Statistics. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control. 3 Apr 2012 <http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ace/prevalence.htm>.

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. "How Can I Protect My Child From Sexual Assault?"
9 Nov 2011 <http://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention
/protecting-a-child-from-sexual-assault>.

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Last updated:April 2012; November 2011

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Sexual Abuse

In the wake of the Penn State sex scandal, please refer below for some information on sexual abuse. Videos Statistics What Can I Do? Suspect Sexual Abuse? Resources Works Cited

In the wake of the Penn State sex scandal, please refer below for some information on sexual abuse.

Videos

Statistics

What Can I Do?

Suspect Sexual Abuse?

Resources

Works Cited