How to Handle Disclosure of Sexual Abuse from a Child

by Christina Enevoldsen

Sexual abuse is one of the most traumatic events that can happen to a child.  The way their disclosure is handled can make a difference in whether the discloser is a continuation of their trauma or the first step in healing.  Though it is difficult to believe that someone could hurt a child that way, children rarely make false accusations about their abuse.  It is easier to deny that abuse occurred because it’s a frightening thing to handle, even for adults, but imagine what it feels like for the child. 

It is extremely difficult for children to tell about their abuse for many reasons.  They usually feel shame and blame themselves for the abuse.  They may feel guilty if they received gifts or attention from the abuser or if they felt pleasure.  They usually feel not being believed and are probably very confused about what happened to them.  The child may also fear threats made by the perpetrator or fear that the abuser may get in trouble.

Your immediate response should be:

  1. Remain calm.  Don’t show feelings of anger, shock or horror.  Children cannot always differentiate between your anger at the abuser and anger towards him.Tell the child you believe him and he was brave to tell you. 
  2. Tell the child it was the right thing to tell you.
  3. Tell the child it was not his fault and he did nothing wrong. 
  4. Report the abuse.  If you are hesitant to call the police because you think there is not enough evidence, or that the crime isn’t serious enough to involve the police, call the police.  Let them decide if it is a valid case. 

For parents of abused children:

It’s heartbreaking to find out your child was sexually abused.  You may find that you are tempted to believe it didn’t happen, especially if the abuser is your partner, friend or relative.  You may also be tempted to blame the child in your attempt to process the news.  You may feel guilty for not protecting your child or angry at the abuser.   It is a very difficult thing to face, but remember that you are the parent.  As the parent, you are responsible for the well-being of your child and your child’s physical, mental and emotional health must be your focus.  If you can’t deal with the emotional difficulty, go to therapy.  But only go after you do the right thing and save your child.

If someone you know has abused your child, you must choose allegiance to your child.  It’s hard to believe someone you love could commit such a monstrous act, particularly on your own child.  They betrayed your trust and your child’s.   It is very painful to face, but do not allow your pain to keep you from acting.  Take your child away from the abuser.

If you are afraid to report it because it would end your marriage, choose to save your child instead of saving your marriage.  Your child is helpless. You and your spouse are not. 

Report the abuse to the police.  Many cities have special units that deal with family violence.  They can help you find resources for shelter and counseling. 

Your child trusts you to protect him. He trusts you to make the tough decisions and to shield him from harm.

It is extremely difficult to face this tragedy.  There are people who will help you through it.  But no one can help you or your child if they don’t know what’s going on.  Call the police.  They can put you in touch with a whole network in your community to help people in your situation.

How Can Abused Children be Helped?

  1. The first thing parents can do to help their child heal from abuse is to provide their child with a safe environment.  That means no contact with the abuser. 
  2. A child won’t just forget about this.  He needs help to process this serious trauma.  That help can come through an experienced counselor in working with children survivors of sexual abuse, through talking, writing or drawing about their feelings, or a number of other tools.  But time alone won’t erase the effects.  Ignoring it won’t heal them.  They need help. 
  3. Children shouldn’t be forced to talk about the abuse.  Allow them to bring it up and be willing to listen when they do.  
  4. Parents need to remember to take care of themselves so that they can be at their best for their children. 

Christina Enevoldsen

I’m Christina Enevoldsen and I’m the cofounder of Overcoming Sexual Abuse and the author of The Rescued Soul: The Writing Journey for the Healing of Incest and Family Betrayal. My passion is exploring new ways to express my empowered new life. I’ve recently discovered the joy of waterslides, the delightful scented lotion from Bath & Body Works, “Dark Kiss” and hosting princess tea parties for my granddaughters. My husband and I live in Scottsdale, Arizona and share three children and six grandchildren.

Does this resonate with you? Please join in by leaving your thoughts and feelings about this topic and don’t forget to subscribe to the comments.

How to Handle Disclosure of Sexual Abuse from a Child
Tagged on:                                                         

11 thoughts on “How to Handle Disclosure of Sexual Abuse from a Child

  • July 2, 2010 at 6:30 pm
    Permalink

    I am so thankful for this site. I feel like I am fighting such an uphill battle, like it is almost pointless at times. I have put my allegiance with my child from the moment she told me, but sometimes it seems like nobody is listening, like nobody cares. At least here I know I am not alone and that I am doing the right thing. Thank you to the person that is maintaining this, you have no idea what you have done for me and my lil one.

    Reply
  • July 2, 2010 at 6:32 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you! I caught someone with my baby, and I did not handle it correctly at all, I can not ever change it. I had a few nervous breakdowns from it. My family made me out to be crazy, and the police only questioned the person one time. This site is bringing us healing, ThankYou so very much!

    Reply
  • Pingback: Straight Talk to Parents About Protecting Children From Sexual Abuse - Overcoming Sexual Abuse

  • July 17, 2012 at 11:05 am
    Permalink

    I am looking for information about how to assist the parents of sexually abused children. Information for helping the victim and even for treating the perpetrator is readily available. However, I have been unable to find information for assisting the parent(s) in overcoming the traumatic experience of having their child sexually abused. How can they help their child if they can’t overcome their own trauma – feelings of guilt, symptoms of PTSD, etc. If you have any resources I would greatly appreciate them.

    kr

    Reply
  • March 10, 2013 at 4:57 pm
    Permalink

    I wish my parents would take this site’s advice. My stepdad started molesting me when I was 11-12, and it continued until I was 13-14. By the time I finally got the courage to tell my mom, she didn’t believe me. CPS didn’t either – there was no evidence. I live with my dad now, but my stepdad’s there every time I go to visit my mom and siblings and they get pissed if I’m not polite to him. My mom thinks I made it up because I hated him, but I only hated him for what he did, for making me feel…dirty inside? I don’t know how else to describe it. Like there’s something inherently awful about me, like I’m marked, like he’s all over me and won’t come off no matter how many times I shower. I wish I hadn’t let him.

    Reply
  • August 20, 2014 at 9:23 am
    Permalink

    I just found out yesterday that my uncle has been molesting my 2 Grandsons, 7 & 8 yrs old. This news is devastating and I am heart broken, and very angry, I feel so guilty for not seeing this and protecting my boys. They have already been through so much, as their Mom (my daughter) passed away a few years ago. I know I should go straight to the law with this, but there is alot involved. My Mother has a bad heart, and to find this out about her brother may be more than she can take. This will tear my family to pieces, but I must stand by my children. I am so afraid CPS will get involved and try to take my boys from me. CPS here is not very honest and will take children at the drop of a hat. I don,t want my children in foster care. It would destroy them to be taken from the only people they trust. I am so confused about the right thing to do. How do I make him pay for this crime, grt my boys help, and still hold my family together? Some one please help me.

    Reply
  • May 23, 2016 at 12:53 pm
    Permalink

    I am a thirteen-year-old girl with a large Christian family, and I suspect I was molested as a six-year-old. I’m working on writing the email that will let my parents know what I think happened to me, but the memory is hard to write down and harder to piece together coherently, and the abuser has been out of the picture since before I realized what really happened, thank whatever God there is, so I’m worried they’ll react badly.
    Fingers crossed, though!

    Reply
  • May 23, 2016 at 1:54 pm
    Permalink

    *to previous comment* Thanks Christina!

    Reply
  • November 7, 2018 at 11:00 pm
    Permalink

    I am terrified that my little boys father will have access to him once all of this is over. CYFD provided little help in supporting us through this process. My son had made a statement, which at the time I did not consider to be alarming, however when I shared his comment with his therapist she stated that she would need to make a SCI report. It hit me like nothing else, there are no words to explain the pain, disbelief, anger, and horror that runs through your body and mind. My son’s father packed his things, left, and immediately hired criminal defense. What struck me as odd is that the detectives asked me to come in to talk with them and gave my son’s abuser the option of an “interview appointment” his defense advised him to cancel the appointment and not talk to them again. I received no support in the judicial process, not an advocate, an attorney who specializes in abuse, nothing. I made the mistake of meeting with his defense prior to the protective order hearing. I feel like I have failed my son. My mother was concerned that the defense would have tore me apart on the stand and felt as though I was not in a good mental state to effectively deal with it. I feel sick to my stomach and am not sure what to do or where to go for support in protecting my son from his fathers’ abuse. As of today CYFD is closing his case stating that there was not enough evidence and that I would need to file a civil suit. This process has been a mess. Unfortunately we live in an area where resources are limited, but criminal defense attorneys are plentiful. Abuse in this area child and domestic are extremely high. If anyone has advice we would be grateful.

    Reply
    • November 25, 2018 at 4:34 am
      Permalink

      Hi ConcernedMaMa,

      My heart goes out to you. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about what you and your son are going through. I don’t have anything to offer from the legal/protection aspect of this horrible situation. But I want to encourage you to be good to yourself through this. I know from personal experience that it’s easy to blame yourself for not knowing how to navigate all of this unfamiliar territory. This isn’t your everyday parenting experience that we typically learn about until we go through it.

      Your son will need you to be at your best, which means taking care of yourself and not being swallowed up in guilt. Guilt is designed to turn us toward the right thing and you’re already doing that. You can’t change the past. Just keep moving forward with what you know now.

      Also, you’re likely to feel frustrated and angry. Good! There is so much to be angry about in this situation (and in this messed up system). Focus on changing what you can change. What do you have power to do? And there will be lots you’ll want to change and don’t have the power to change. Acknowledge that and grieve that. That’s so hard!!! But focus on what you’re empowered to do. It sounds like you’re providing your son some good emotional support. That’s so important. You may not be able to control everything that happens to him (and no parent can) but you can be there to help pick up the pieces and show him how to navigate this imperfect world. He can heal from this. And so can you.

      Christina Enevoldsen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.