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Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse is defined as any sexual behavior with a child or the use of the child for sexual gratification of someone else.
Incest-when sexual abuse occurs between family members

Main Entry: 1fam·i·ly Pronunciation: 'fam-lE, 'fa-m&
- Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -lies
Etymology: Middle English familie, from Latin familia household (including servants as well as kin of the householder), from famulus servant
1 : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : HOUSEHOLD
2 a : a group of persons of common ancestry :
CLAN b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock


What Sexual Abuse Includes:

    Oral, anal, genital, buttock, & breast contact
    Voyeurism, exhibitionism
    The use of objects for vaginal or anal penetration, fondling, or sexual stimulation
    Exploitation of a child for pornographic purposes, making a child available to others as a child prostitute, & stimulating a child with inappropriate solicitation, exhibitionism, & erotic material
    Failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct harmful to a child
    Causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging in, or allowing the photography, filming, or depicting of the child if the person knew or should have known that the resulting photograph, film, or depiction of the child is obscene or pornographic



To be considered child abuse these acts must be committed by a person known to the child such as a parent, daycare provider, teacher, babysitter, etc.
If a stranger commits these acts, they would be considered to be sexual assault.

What to do if you think you or someone you know may be a victim of child sexual abuse:

1. Believe the child. Research has shown that children do not lie about sexual abuse. The incidence is so low as to rule out this consideration. The damage to a child if you do not believe them is far greater.

2. Stay calm.
Shock, anger, fear, anxiety, worry, & shame are normal reactions, but an emotianl reaction is upsetting to the child. Express your feelings with another adult or in private. When with the child, maintain an 'in control' type manner. Calmly listen, let the child know that what happened isn't right, & that you will handle it.

3. Reassure the child.
"Thank you for sharing this with me. You really are a terrific boy/girl. I am proud of you for telling me & I'm sorry this bad experience happened to you with an adult. Sometimes even adults do bad things & that is not your fault. You did the right thing by telling me, & I will take care of it & I'll protect you. I love/care about you."

4. Seek help.
Call DCS, a family doctor, or a counselor. In 99 of 100 cases, the offender is a repeater, so reporting the incident is important.

5. If the child brings it up, talk about the assault.
Part of recovering from any trauma is to go over it & over it. Listen to your child & understand his/her feelings. After listening, then reassure the child that you are glad that the bad experience is over now.

Department of Childrens Services contact numbers in WRAP service area:
Benton County: 731-584-8129
Carroll County: 731-986-9121
Chester Count: 731-983-0758
Crockett County: 731-696-2321
Decatur County: 731-852-2981
Gibson County: 731-855-7800
Hardeman County: 731-658-5545
Hardin County: 731-925-9424
Haywood County: 731-772-4242
Henderson County: 731-968-5128
McNairy County: 731-645-7994
Madison County: 731-423-6599