Education

Our next topic of discussion is probably, to me, the most important.

Education.

We (both parents, children, and those who have or might commit these offenses) all need to educate ourselves. Understanding the problem and why someone that you care about might commit one of these offenses, or knowing how to educate your children, or knowing how to talk to your kids in such a way that they trust coming to you with this problem, or knowing the signs so abuse doesn't go on or escalate. - or even knowing how to talk to someone who might offend or who has offended so that they can get the help they need.

The biggest problem that I see when we talk to our children is that we sit there and tell them that if someone touches them inappropriately that they should come to us (mom and dad). We need to know so that we can make sure this person goes to jail and will never hurt another kid. But, hey, listen. What is a kid supposed to do when daddy is the one that touches them? They are confused and don't know where to turn because they know it is wrong, but they don't want to "get daddy in trouble" so the problem can escalate. This is probably a common scenario.

I think we need to educate our kids differently and, even though we need to let them know that they can and should come to you, that the focus should be different because I think most kids don't want to "get anyone in trouble" - especially someone that they care about. Then, when your child does come to you, make sure they understand, even if it is nothing, that they did the right thing. Because once you lose that trust, it will be hard to get it back.

Education is the key to stopping this problem.

There are numerous resources out there for education - in the library, on the internet, professionals (psychotherapists, CPS, etc). If you are blind to the truth in this day and age, it can only be considered a willful act. Protect your children, even if it is from yourself or someone you love. Next time, we will talk about what are called triggers.