How to prevent sexual assault in this uncertain time
(Press Release) As more people remain at home to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, this creates new challenges for preventing sexual abuse.
More than 90 percent of people who are sexually abused know the person who abused them. This percentage is even higher for children who are sexually abused. The younger the victim, the more likely it is that the abuser is a family member.
What does this mean for families who are staying in their homes during the Covid-19 outbreak? How can families keep each other safe?
The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) and its Texas chapter (TxATSA) offer the following prevention measures:
· If you are helping your children with their school lessons, add one more lesson – teach them about inappropriate touching. For younger children, that can be described as being touched wherever a bathing suit normally covers them.
· Help children and teens practice speaking up when they don’t want to be touched or hugged or kissed. Teach them what to say and what to do.
· Respect children’s rights to not be hugged or sit on someone’s lap or have other physical contact. Never make a child or teen accept a physical touch from anyone, even a beloved relative.
· If possible, always keep visual oversight of all children in the house or yard, even if from a distance. Abusers want to separate victims from others. Don’t let this happen.
· Pay attention when your children don’t want to be alone with a relative.
· Speak up if you see or hear something that causes you concern. Don’t brush it off.
· And most importantly, make sure your children know that you will not be angry with them if they reveal that someone is touching them inappropriately. Abusers often scare young victims by telling them their parents will no longer love them if they reveal what is happening. Make sure your children know you are a safe harbor in any storm.
Families also need to be concerned about online safety, according to ATSA and TxATSA. Being home together is an excellent time for parents to learn more about their children’s online activities. ATSA and TxATSA encourage parents to:
· Join children and teens in playing video and online games.
· Participate in the chatrooms children share with friends and acquaintances.
· Learn about the messages children are receiving from other players.
· Talk to children and teens about appropriate online boundaries.
If something does occur that leads you to fear sexual abuse is taking place, either in your home or online, there are many resources in Texas for help. A 24-hour hotline is available at 817-927-2737, or you can visit these sites for more information:
- Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
- Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center
- The Women’s Center
ATSA is an international nonprofit association of more than 3,000 professionals who research, treat, and manage individuals who have sexually offended or are at risk to offend. The association’s mission is to prevent sexual abuse through sound research, effective practice, informed policy, and comprehensive prevention. ATSA’s Texas chapter and partners include researchers, practitioners, corrections officials, law enforcement officers, and victim advocates. More about the Texas Chapter of ATSA can be found at www.txatsa.com.
ATSA’s next international research and treatment conference will take place Oct. 21-24, 2020, in San Antonio, Texas.
