top of page

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

  • Writer: Natasha Tilley
    Natasha Tilley
  • Feb 11, 2020
  • 2 min read

How would you feel if someone you trusted or even loved was sexually abusing your child behind your back? Imagine the shock, betrayal and suffering that would bring you, and moreover, your child for the rest of their life? The stats are high - 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18 and contrary to popular belief, most abusers are known to the child. Instead of turning a blind eye/sweeping it under the rug/ making it taboo (which pedophiles THRIVE on) we NEED to look at it. If we want our children to be safe, we have to do the hard work and confront this heartbreaking truth. Want to know how to avoid this happening to your child? Here are a few preventative tactics to think about: Are we teaching our kids safety & boundaries by 1) modelling boundaries in our adult lives 2) allowing them to say “no” to physical affection from others? Are we facing the difficult discomforts of our own childhood & if applicable, recognizing and dealing with our own childhood trauma? Are we teaching them the difference between keeping secrets and surprises? Are we teaching them that we are someone they can open up to about anything and show emotion to without judgment or penalty? Are we fully and compassionately listening to them and asking lots of questions about how they feel and why? Instead of justifying their feelings with our assumptions/other people’s thoughts/ or being distracted on our phone/with other tasks. Are we telling our children the truth and teaching them the reality of sexual abuse - do we know what it is? Are we teaching them techniques for safeguarding? - do we know any? [No Go Tell protocol & 5 trusted adults & personal safety] Are we teaching them the proper words for their genitals? Are we taking responsibility for the hard choices and letting our kids be kids? What message are we sending our kids with the actions we are taking and choices we are making for them? Are we giving our kids choice and control in their own lives? All in all, are we empowering or dis-empowering our children? It all begins here because, yes there are sick people out there and no, you cannot tell a pedophile by looking at them. Not all of them are convicted and sent to jail. One pedophile could abuse MULTIPLE children before being caught. Even convicted pedophiles are released back into society and allowed to continue to live their lives safe and comfortable.

The only real thing that any one of us can do right now is look at how we are protecting our children and try to prevent this from happening. In the meantime, we can advocate for a reality in which child sexual abuse, violence and rape don't exist.

 
 
 

Comments


Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square

with inspiration and nourishment for living a meaningful, soul led life.

Receive special letters and gifts

  • Grey Facebook Icon
  • Grey Instagram Icon

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Lauren.jpg

— Lauren Salisbury, Social Worker

Kindness, inspired and proud.

"After our first session, I felt so amazing already. I was excited as we explored deeper into who I wanted to become, the challenges, struggles and real goals I wanted to achieve. I knew I was going to achieve my goals with the love and support Tash provided me. My confidence has grown! People can see I am more excited about life and proud of who I am. My closest family have shared that they love seeing my creative side and how much joy it brings me. I have noticed that I am no longer worried about what other people think. I am so proud of who I am and confident in my business. My career is flourishing and I am now better at prioritising my time to ensure I am always able to be creative. It was perfect, I loved the whole experience and learnt so much about myself. You are amazing. Thank you for holding so much space for me and supporting me along this journey!"

 

We gratefully honour the Traditional Caretakers of the land from which we live and work upon, the Whadjuk People, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.

©Natasha Tilley 2022.

bottom of page