The Community Awareness Training Seminar (CATS) team held its last seminar entitled Open Our Hearts/ Breaking the Silence on Nov. 16.
Susan Winter Fledderus, clinical therapist with Shalem Mental Health Network, was the keynote speaker and the focus was on the topic of sexual abuse. She stated that sexual abuse is defined as “the exploitation of another or any sexual intimacy forced upon another, for the sexual stimulation or gratification of the abuser. All sexual activity without consent, regardless of age, is a criminal offence.”
Fledderus went on to mention “that sexual abuse of children and youth occurs when an older child, adolescent or adult takes advantage of a younger child or youth for sexual purposes.” She stated that one in four girls are sexually abused before the age of 18 and one in six boys are abused before age 18.
Statistics Canada reported that in 2007 “58 per cent of sexual assault victims were under the age of 18, with children under 12 accounting for 25%.”
The Department of Justice Canada reports that 90 to 98% of child abuse is by someone the child knows; 30 to 40% is incest and 50% is abuse by someone outside the family whom they know and trust, 40% of which involves older or larger children perpetrating against other children they know.
Fledderus went on to report that 90% of the offenders are male, and that disabled children suffer five times more abuse than those who are not disabled. It is not uncommon that up to 30 infractions are committed before the abuser is identified.
It was noted that 73% of child abuse victims do not tell anyone about the abuse for at least a year, and 45% of victims do not tell anyone for at least five years. This traumatic experience can be very life changing and symptoms may include: regression of behaviour to an earlier stage, change in social behaviour (withdrawn or acting out), fear of being touched, easily startled or vigilant, unexplained bruises or marks, self-injuring, trouble concentrating and the list goes on.
If these symptoms suddenly become apparent then it is important to discuss this with the child.
It is important that parents are open to hearing a child’s opinions about anything; the child will more likely be able to speak up about an abuser, and to see parents as “safe adults” to talk to.
Fledderus went on to explain how to handle a disclosure of sexual abuse: stay calm and listen; offer reassurance that the one abused has done nothing wrong; be supportive; gather only essential facts; tell the child what will happen next; report to Children’s Aid Society or police; and make specific notes.
What children need to know in order to be more aware:
– scientific names of all their body parts;
– information about sex and sexual abuse;
– clear ways to communicate about proper and inappropriate touching;
– that “no” means no;
– that they can expect to have their boundaries respected;
– how to be sexually respectful of others; and
– that the vast majority of people are caring and safe.
The CATS Team, formed in 2009, and has now been disbanded.
‘‘I would like to say a personal thanks to everyone who served on our team over the years. The support of individuals, service providers, and churches made this all possible,” said CATS Chair Jim Curry, who also thanked the local media for support in promoting the seminars.
