• CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION

• LARALIZA T. TAYAO
 Child sexual abuse refers to the involvement of a child (person less
than 18 years old) in sexual activity that violates the laws or social
taboos of society and that he/she:

What is What does not fully comprehend

iWhat is child
sexual abuse?s does not consent to or is unable to give informed consent to, or

is not developmentally prepared for and cannot give consent to

2 types of Child abuse
• 1. Touching includes touching a childs genitals, making a child touch someone else’s
genitals , playing sexual games, and /or putting objects or body parts inside the vulve o
vagina , in the mouth, or in the anus of a child for sexual pleasure.

• 2. Non – Touching abuse includes sowing pornography to a child, photographing a child

in a sexual poses, encouraging the child to watch or hear sexual acts either in person or on
a video, and/or watching undress or use the bathroom.
How BIG is the problem
• Child sexual abuse is a significant but preventable public health problem. Many children wait to
report or never report child sexual abuse. Although estimates vary across studies, the data shows

• About 7,000,000 children are sexually abused every year in the Philippines.

• More than 70% of sexually abused children are between 10 and 18 years old. Among those victims,
20% are under 6 years old.

• Cases of OSAEC in the Philippines increased by 264.6 percent or

202,605 more reports during the imposition of the enhanced community
quarantine from March to May 2020, compared to the 76,561 cases
during the same period in 2019, according to the Department of Justice
(DOJ), citing data from the US-based National Centre for Missing and
Exploited Children (NCMEC).
What are the consequences

• Experiencing child sexual abuse is an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that

can affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels over a lifetime, resulting in
short- and long-term physical and mental/emotional health consequences

• it could have a permanent and devastating effect on children’s mental health and
psychosocial wellbeing
Examples of physical health consequences include:
•sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
•physical injuries
•chronic conditions later in life, such as heart disease,
obesity, and cancer
• Examples of mental health consequences include:

• depression

• posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms

• Examples of behavioral consequences include:

• substance use/misuse including opioid misuse

• risky sexual behaviors, meaning behaviors that could result in pregnancy or STIs
such as not using condoms or other contraceptives, or sex with multiple partners

• increased risk for suicide or suicide attempts

• Another outcome commonly associated with child sexual abuse is an
increased risk of re-victimization throughout a person’s life. For example,
recent studies have found:

• Females exposed to child sexual abuse are at 2-13 times increased risk of
sexual victimization in adulthood

• Individuals who experienced child sexual abuse are at twice the risk for non-
sexual intimate partner violence
• 1. Republic Act No. 7610 otherwise known as “ An Act Providing for Stronger Deterrence and Special Protection Against
Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination,

• 2. Republic Act No. 9208 otherwise known as “An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially
Women and Children, Establishing the Necessary Institutional Mechanisms for the Protection and Support of Trafficked
Persons

• 3. , Republic Act No. 9262 otherwise known as “An Act Defining Violence Against Women and Their Children, Providing
for Protective Measures for Victims,

• 4. Republic Act No. 9208 otherwise known as “An Act to Institute Policies to Eliminate Trafficking in Persons Especially
Women and Children,

• 5. Republic Act 8533 Anti-Rape Law of 1997,

• 6. Republic Act 9775 Anti Pornography Act of 2009,

• Under the national observance of Presidential Proclamation No. 731, the "National
Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation" or also
known as "Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week, is commemorated every second of
February.

• "Celebrating this year’s Child Sexual Abuse Awareness Week means that all efforts must
be exerted by the government to protect all minors from all forms of abuse,
How do we prevent Child Sex Abuse
• Most child sexual abuse is carried out either by family members or people
children or families know.

• This means that preventing child sexual abuse starts with your family and
your community.

• Here are some everyday things you can do in your family and community
to prevent child sexual abuse:

1. Talk with children about child sexual abuse and children’s personal and
sexual safety.
10 Ways to Teach Children to Speak Up About Sexual Abuse

• 1. Talk about body parts early

• Name body parts and talk about them very early.

• Use proper names for body parts, or at least teach your child what the actual words are for
their body parts.

• I can’t tell you how many young children I have worked with who have called their
vagina their “bottom.” Feeling comfortable using these words and knowing what they
mean can help a child talk clearly if something inappropriate has happened.
• 2. Teach them that some body parts are private

• Tell your child that their private parts are called private because they are not for everyone
to see.

• Explain that mommy and daddy can see them naked, but people outside of the home
should only see them with their clothes on.

• Explain how their doctor can see them without their clothes because mommy and daddy
are there with them and the doctor is checking their body.
• 3. Teach your child body boundaries

• Tell your child matter-of-factly that no one should touch their private parts and that no
one should ask them to touch somebody else’s private parts.

• Parents will often forget the second part of this sentence.

• Sexual abuse often begins with the perpetrator asking the child to touch them or someone
else.
• 4. Tell your child that body secrets are not okay

• Most perpetrators will tell the child to keep the abuse a secret.

• This can be done in a friendly way, such as, “I love playing with you, but if you tell
anyone else what we played they won’t let me come over again.”

• Or it can be a threat: “This is our secret. If you tell anyone I will tell them it was your idea
and you will get in big trouble!”

• Tell your kids that no matter what anyone tells them, body secrets are not okay and they
should always tell you if someone tries to make them keep a body secret
• 5. Tell your child that no one should take pictures of their private parts

• This one is often missed by parents.

• There is a whole sick world out there of pedophiles who love to take and trade pictures of
naked children online. T

• his is an epidemic and it puts your child at risk. T

• ell your kids that no one should ever take pictures of their private parts
• 6. Teach your child how to get out of scary or uncomfortable situations

• Some children are uncomfortable with telling people “no”— especially older peers or adults.

• Tell them that it’s okay to tell an adult they have to leave, if something that feels wrong is
happening, and help give them words to get out of uncomfortable situations.

• Tell your child that if someone wants to see or touch private parts they can tell them that they
need to leave to go potty.
• 7. Have a code word your children can use when they feel unsafe or want to be
picked up

• As children get a little bit older, you can give them a code word that they can use when
they are feeling unsafe.

• This can be used at home, when there are guests in the house or when they are on a play
date or a sleepover.
• 8. Tell your children they will never be in trouble if they tell you a body secret

• Children often tell me that they didn’t say anything because they thought they would get
in trouble, too.

• This fear is often used by the perpetrator.

• Tell your child that no matter what happens, when they tell you anything about body
safety or body secrets they will NEVER get in trouble.
• 9. Tell your child that a body touch might tickle or feel good

• Many parents and books talk about “good touch and bad touch,” but this can be confusing
because often these touches do not hurt or feel bad. I prefer the term “secret touch,” as it
is a more accurate depiction of what might happen.
• 10. Tell your child that these rules apply even with people they know and even with another child

• This is an important point to discuss with your child.

• When you ask a young child what a “bad guy” looks like they will most likely describe a cartoonish villain.

• You can say something like, “Mommy and daddy might touch your private parts when we are cleaning you or if you need cream — but no one else
should touch you there.

• Not friends, not aunts or uncles, not teachers or coaches. Even if you like them or think they are in charge, they should still not touch your private
parts.”

• https://childmind.org/article/10-ways-to-teach-your-child-the-skills-to-prevent-sexual-abuse/
 Here are some everyday things you can do in your family and community to prevent child sexual abuse:

• 2. Take some basic safety precautions – for example, if your child is alone with
adults or young people, ensure that they can be seen and/or interrupted at any
time, and always go with your child to public toilets.

3. Ask for details of supervision and sleeping arrangements when your child is
invited to sleepovers, parties, camps, outings and so on.

4. Check in with your child on things like sleepovers, sport and so on. For example,
message your child at sleepovers to ask how things are going. Or ask questions like,
‘How was football coaching today?’
5. Ask other parents how they check in on their children’s safety.

6. Ask other parents about community organisations and groups that

follow child-safe practices or have good reputations for child safety, and
ask organisations about their policies.

7. Trust your instinct if something doesn’t feel right – for example, you can
say no if people ask to take your child on outings alone, offer to coach
your child individually, and so on

8. Learn about grooming.

Grooming: what is it?

• Grooming is when a person tries to build a trusting relationship with a

child or a child’s family so that they can sexually abuse the child.

• Grooming involves the person building connection and trust with a child and
family over days, weeks, months or years.

• For example, the person might befriend a family and seem to have an
amazing connection with the child. The person might gradually spend more
and more time with the child. This lays the groundwork for sexual abuse at a
later time.
• Who might be involved in grooming?

• Anyone can be a groomer – man or woman, friend, stranger or professional.

• A groomer could be a relative, family friend or someone from a family’s place of worship. Or a groomer
could be a sporting coach, teacher or child care worker.

• How and where does grooming happen?

• Grooming can happen face to face or online.

• If grooming is happening face to face, the person might find ways to get to know a child and the child’s
family and offer to take the child on outings. The person might buy the child or family treats or gifts. Or
the person might give the family and the child compliments and make them feel special.

• If grooming is happening online, the person might pretend to be a child of the same age or a celebrity.
The person might use text, instant messaging, online chat and so on to build a relationship with the child.
• Signs of grooming in children aged 0-11 years

• Many of the signs of grooming can look like normal adult‐child relationships, which is why grooming is difficult to spot.

• But here are some signs that might indicate that your child or the child you’re caring for is being groomed.

• Your child:

• wants to go alhas unexplained gifts like new toys or clothes

• doesn’t want to talk about where the gifts came from

• is getting lots of messages from someone they only know online

• talks a lot about a particular adult or older child or wants to spend a lot of time with them

• one when they meet a particular adult or older person

• doesn’t want to talk about what they’ve been doing

• stops telling you about their day or asking for your advice

• spends more time alone in their room.

• Signs of grooming in teenagers

• These signs might indicate that your teenage child or the teenage child you’re caring for is being groomed.

• Your child:

• is in a relationship with a much older boyfriend or girlfriend

• has unexplained gifts like clothes, jewellery or electronics

• doesn’t want to talk about where the gifts came from

• doesn’t want to talk about what they’ve been doing, or lies about it

• is skipping school or sporting activities

• is spending less time with friends or changes friendship groups suddenly

• is getting lots of messages from someone they only know online

• doesn’t want other people around when they’re with a particular girlfriend or boyfriend

• doesn’t talk with you about thoughts or feelings anymore.

• Signs someone is grooming parents

• Grooming often involves gaining the trust of a child’s family or carers.

• These signs might indicate that someone is grooming you or your family with the aim of sexually abusing your child or the child you’re
caring for.

• The person:

• offers to take your child to sports or other activities, or offers to babysit or take your child camping

• offers to mentor your child, individually coach your child, and so on

• buys gifts for your family

• offers to do things for your family, like repairs or gardening

• shows an interest in your child’s activities, wellbeing, school grades or other areas of your child’s life

• compliments your family and parenting

• plays innocently with your child and touches your child in a non-sexual way while you’re around – this gets you and your child used to the
idea of physical contact

• tries to start a flirtatious or romantic relationship with you.

• What to do if you’re concerned that someone is grooming a child

• Grooming isn’t always obvious. Groomers work hard to gain trust and respect from children and families. So
it’s important to trust your instincts if something doesn’t feel right.

• It’s also important to:

• watch out for signs that you or your child is being groomed

• stop the person from being alone with your child

• avoid letting the person do favours for your family

• ask other families who know the person what their relationship with the person is like

• find out how your child feels about the person by asking questions like ‘Do you like the way cousin A acts
around you?’ or ‘Mr G likes a lot of your Instagram posts. Does he follow you on any other social media?’

• encourage your child to talk by asking questions like ‘Is anything worrying you?’ or ‘Are you OK?’
Working with local services and organisations to prevent child sexual abuse

• It’s important to recognise that some small, community-based,

volunteer-run organisations might need support for child
safety.

• They often have fewer resources to develop child-safe policies

and practices or keep up to date with regulations and
requirements.
Working with local services and organisations to prevent child sexual abuse

• You can play a part in helping organisations protect children and prevent child sexual
abuse. For example, you or a group of parents could volunteer to review past and current
child-safe practices and policies in the organisation and develop new ones if needed.

• If you’re helping to develop new policies and practices, here are some things you could
consider. Not all of these will be relevant to all organisations:

• Grounds and facilities should be well lit and easily supervised. Organisations should
avoid scheduling activities in isolated areas of grounds and facilities.

• All activities with children, particularly those involving a single child and an adult or an
older child, should be easily observed and interrupted.

• Older children or young people who have responsibility for younger children should be
supervised.
Working with local services and organisations to prevent child sexual abuse

• Everyone who spends time with children should be screened as suitable for working
with children and have a working with children (WWC) check.

• All members, staff and volunteers must be trained in preventing, recognising and
responding to child sexual abuse and should also be trained in recognising
grooming.

• Everyone in the organisation should have access to, understand and follow clear,
step-by-step procedures for dealing with questions, suspicious situations and
reports of abuse, as well as guidelines about professional boundaries and physical
contact.

• Parents and children should be able to ask questions and share concerns about
child protection and safety.
 Community policies and practices to prevent child sexual abuse

Local services and organisations like child care settings, schools,

sports clubs and places of worship should have policies and
practices to keep children safe and prevent child sexual abuse.

It’s reasonable for you to expect this and OK for you to ask about it
Community policies and practices to prevent child sexual abuse

• Here are ways to find out about these policies and practices:

• Ask your child’s school, sports club, before-school and after-school care or youth
group for copies of their child safety policies.

• Ask questions about child safety at sports or activity clubs or other groups.

• Ask your local council about its strategies to protect children in the community,
particularly in public spaces like parks and at community events.

• And if you think a service could make improvements in the area of child safety, it’s
OK to let the service know. In fact, this is a responsible thing to do as a member of
the community. For example, if you’re concerned that your local shopping centre
toilets are too isolated, you could let the centre management know
• https://raisingchildren.net.au/grown-ups/work-child-care/organising-child-care/wwc-
checks