From The Desk Of Darlene J. Harris – Teach Your Child Body Safety-Part Three
Greetings Everyone,
I don’t take for granted that this series can be a tough topic for some of you, therefore, I urge you to do self-care. Always remember the information shared on this website is to help and not to harm.
I want to share a note from Dr. Cherrye Vasquez who is a follower and a contributor to And He Restoreth My Soul Project.
Always know serving you is my pleasure.
_____________________
Dear Darlene,
This is a topic that really needs attention. It can no longer remain marginal and on the sidelines.
Parents should remain watchful and careful of their children. This includes leaving them with family members (sadly said). Everyone wants to trust and believe this will not happen in their family.
Frankly, I’ve heard far too many horror stories that kept me on watch constantly when my daughter was young.
My husband and I always had a family rule: My daughter was not allowed to spend the night at anyone’s home except for my mother’s. Whenever my Mom kept the male grandchildren, I had rules. Sometimes my rules made people uncomfortable, but I made no apologies. I am my daughter’s best advocate.
No, I never had any reason to believe the boys (who I love and cherish dearly), would ever harm their baby cousin, but I still put my rules in place. These sorts of things can ruin families, so be very careful.
Thank God, we never had to encounter such a thing, but you just have to be very careful these days with both genders (bad things happen to male children, too).
Another point I want to make (and this isn’t to say that it happens to everyone, or all people are not good): PARENTS, sometimes we have to put our lives on hold if we have young children. I realize many young women and men want to marry (if they are single and have fallen in love), and remarry (if they are divorced or lost a spouse), but sometimes bringing people into your lives can be risky. Be sure you are very careful. Really know who you are partnering with.
I hope my little two-cents worth helps.
God Bless –
Dr. Cherrye Vasquez
MARCH 22, 2016
Teach Your Child Body Safety-Part 3
- overly interested in theirs or other’s genitals
- continually wants to touch private parts of other children
- instigating and/or forcing ‘sex play’ with another child (often younger, more than 3 years difference in age)
- sex play that is not appropriate, i.e. oral genital contact between a 7 year old and a 4 year old (note: with the increase in pornography viewing on the internet by young children, sex play is becoming more worrisome among similar-aged children)
- sex play with another child happening more than three times, despite careful monitoring and discussion about inappropriateness
- persistent masturbation that does not cease when told to stop
- seductive/advanced sexual behavior
- sexualized play with dolls or toys
- sexualized play involving forced penetration of objects vaginally or anally
- chronic peeping, exposing and obscenities
- touching or rubbing against the genitals of adults or children that they do not know
- persistent use of ‘dirty’ words
- describing sexual acts and sexualized behavior beyond their years
- drawings and/or games that involve inappropriate sexual activities
- strong body odor
- sores around the mouth
- bruising or bleeding in the genital area; bruising to breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen or thighs
- withdrawn and anxious behavior (irritable, clingy, listless)
- secretive or say they have a ‘special’ secret that can’t tell (this may be to gauge your reaction)
- child or child’s friend telling you about interference directly or indirectly
- going to bed fully clothed
- increase in nightmares and sleep disturbances
- regressive behavior, e.g. a return to bed-wetting or soiling
- sudden changes in behavior, e.g. from a happy child to an angry and/or defiant child
- appetite changes (sudden and significant)
- unexplained accumulation of money and gifts
- not wanting to go to a certain person’s place or to an activity
- indirectly dropping hints about the abuse (again, to gauge your reaction).
- self-destructive behavior such as drug dependency, suicide attempts, self-mutilation
- eating disorders
- adolescent pregnancy
- persistent running away from home and/or refusal to attend school
- withdrawn, angry
- saying that their body is dirty, ruin, damaged
- pornography interest; verbally sexually aggressive obscenities
Jayneen (aka Jay Dale) is an experienced teacher, editor, author, publisher, and most importantly a mother of three daughters and an advocate for sexual abuse prevention education (Body Safety Education) in homes and schools. Jay has written a number of books to empower children and to give them a voice including: Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept, No Means No!, Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain and a information guide for parents and teachers entitled Body Safety Education. Jay works passionately and with ongoing commitment to ensure children are taught age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention education.
For more information on this topic and Jay’s empowering children’s books ‘Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept’, ‘No Means No!’ and ‘Pearl Fairweather Pirate Captain’, and her parents’ guide ‘Body Safety Education — A parents’ guide to protecting kids from sexual abuse’ go to www.educate2empower.info
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