April is Sexual Abuse Awareness Month. According to a 2010 study, “The Experience of Sexual Victimization and Help-Seeking Among Latino Women,” by Penn State University, one in six Latinas reported sexual victimization in their lifetime, most often during childhood.
This week’s Nuestra Gente profile subject, Angelica Lopez, shares some tips on getting kids who have suffered sexual abuse on the path to recovery.
Children who are in the process of recovering from abuse and neglect require patience from family, caregivers and professionals. Recovery is a process for children, especially as their young minds attempt to analyze a very complex, abstract and emotional situation. As the caring adult overseeing a child’s recovery, it is helpful to remember:
•There will be good days and bad days. A child may seem to be progressing towards full recovery one day, and the next seem to regress by exhibiting unusual behaviors.
•Concentrate on remaining calm when inappropriate behaviors are exhibited. Consider those moments to be teaching moments to gently guide a child toward appropriate behavior. Reacting in a strong manner may cause a child to feel shame and guilt in addition to the destructive emotions brought on by the abuse.
•Keep an open line of communication between family members, and all the professionals working with the child. When there is a uniform plan of action consistently being implemented, the child will feel a sense of security.
It truly is a labor of love when walking the road to recovery with a child. Every child who has faced abuse deserves the recovered life. Perseverance will help to keep the pace, go the distance and reach the goal.