Children are wonderfully unique in every way. Just as no two children respond the same about other aspects in life, nor will they react the same way to child sexual abuse.

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS:

There could be other indicators not listed, but knowing the child and having good communication is the most helpful resource an individual has in detecting behavioral changes in a child. Most important of all, remember God has provided you with instincts.

• Aggressiveness
  
• Rages
  
• Acting out
  
• Eating issues
  
• Regression
  
• Poor peer relationships
  
• Reluctance to participate in recreational activity
  
• Sexualized behavior (touching others inappropriately)
  
• Sleeping issues
  
• Withdrawn behavior
  
• Quietness
  
• Young children's preoccupation with sex organs of self, parents, sibblings, or other children
  
• Sexual sophistication beyond their years of knowledge and language
  
• Run-away attempts
  
• Drug or alcohol use
  
• Prostitution
  
• Suicide
  
• Suicidal thoughts
  
• Self injury (cutting)

PHYSICAL INDICATORS MAY INCLUDE:

• Leaking stool (once toilet training is completed)
  
• Gagging and vomiting
  
• Psychosomatic complaints (stomachaches, headaches, etc.)
  
• Difficulty walking and sitting
  
• Stained or bloody underwear
  
• Pain or itching in the genital area
  
• Sexually transmitted diseases
  
• Early pregnancy
  
• Urinary tract infections
  
• Bleeding, cracks or tears around orifices
  
• Bed wetting (once toilet training is completed)
  

The Role of Any Responsible Adult:

Educate yourself, be more aware, & be prepared...

• *1 out of 4 girls and 1 out 6 boys will be sexually
•  violated before they reach their 18th birthday.
• *Most all sexual assault crimes committed against
•  children are by someone that the child knows and
•  often times trust.
• *Only 1 out of 10 children will ever tell.
• *Sexual assault and abuse against children is an under
•  reported crime.

For the one child that is courageous enough to share with you, they need and expect you to know the proper response and how to take the appropriate action to save them from further abuse. Your reactions, both verbal and non-verbal, will last a child a lifetime. Please take the time to understand the devastation of child sexual abuse. The purpose of this website is to educate and help those in need to find the resources.

Suggested Responses:

• "I am so glad you told me."
  
• "I want you to know what happened to you was not your fault."
  
• "I will help you."
  
• "I feel so special that you felt that you could trust me."
  
• "You are so courageous and I am so proud of you for telling."

 

To My Teacher:

I go to school each day hoping my life will change.  No one seems to understand and no one seems to even care.  I am afraid to tell anyone just how bad it is.  And because he is my stepdad, I trusted him to  love me.  He always says to my mom and me that she doesn't care about me and him, and she doesn't say anything.  Now that I have gotten older, I know what he does to me is wrong, but I am so confused and angry.  I tried to tell you yesterday, but then I got scared.  I feel so ashamed and that it's my fault that I don't know how to make it stop. I thought if I screamed and yelled at you and called you bad names you would figure it out.  I thought that you would know when I could not run during class activities last week, and you said something about being out of shape.  I promise I am not lazy and I promise I am a good kid, but sometimes it is so hard for me to think.  Please can you make it stop?  Please help me!  Please promise not to tell my secret to anyone.  I don't know what he might do and it would make my mom sad too......Love, me

Teachers:

• If a child tells you, believe that it happened and report it.
  
• Report suspected abuse and follow through.
  
• Listen to what a child tells you.
  
• Listen and watch in class and at play.
  
• Take time to know the children.
  
• Provide a nurturing environment.
  
• Teach children to care about one another.
  

Good Touch / Bad Touch Information For Educators

Georgia Network To End Sexual Assault / Information Just For Kids

Help Prevent Child Abuse

Child Molestation Resources & Prevention Institute

Schoolyard Bullies Get Nastier Online

Stopping Bullies In Their Tracks

Educator's Preventive SCAN Program of the National Children's Advocacy Center

National Victim's Assisstance Academy

Thomasville/Thomas County School Listings

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"Alyssa Lies"
by Jason Michael Carroll
 
My little girl met a new friend just the other day
On the playground at school between the tires and the swing
But she came home with tear-filled eyes
And she said to me, "Daddy, Alyssa lies."
Well I just brushed it off at first
'Cause I didn't know how much my little girl had been hurt
Or the things she had seen
I wasn't ready when I said, "You can tell me."
And she said...

CHORUS:

Alyssa lies to the classroom
Alyssa lies every day at school
Alyssa lies to the teachers
As she tries to cover every bruise

My little girl laid her head down that night to go to sleep
As I stepped out the room, I heard her say a prayer so soft and sweet
God bless Mama and my Dad
And my new friend Alyssa, I know she needs it bad because...

REPEAT CHORUS

I had the worst night of sleep in years
As I tried to think of the ways to calm her fears
I knew just what it was I had to do
But when we got to school on Monday I heard the news

My little girl asked me why everybody looked so sad
The lump in my throat grew bigger with every question that she asked
Until I felt the tears run down my face
And I told her that Alyssa wouldn't be at school today

'Cause she doesn't lie in the classroom
She doesn't lie anymore at school
Alyssa lies with Jesus
Because there's nothin' anyone would do

Tears filled my eyes
When my little girl asked me why
Alyssa lies
Daddy, tell me why
Alyssa lies

Listen to "Allyssa Lies". Click on Jukebox.

"Teachers"

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school,
she told the children an untruth.  Like most teachers, she looked at her students,
and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible,
because there in the front row, slumped in his seat,
was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before,
and noticed that he did not play well with the other children,
that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath.
In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson
would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen,
making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught,
she was required to review each child's past records,
and she put Teddy's off until last.
However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh.
He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..."
His second grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates,
but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness,
and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote,
"His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest,
and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.
He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.
She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents,
wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's.
His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy,
brown paper that he used from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.
Some of the children started to laugh
when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing,
and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.
She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was,
putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say,
"Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic.
Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy.
As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.
The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year,
Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and,
despite her lie that she would love all the children the same,
Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."
A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy,
telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

"Believe in Angels?"

"Concrete Angel"
by Martina McBride

She walks to school with the lunch she packed
Nobody knows what she's holdin' back
Wearin' the same dress she wore yesterday
She hides the bruises with linen and lace

The teacher wonders but she doesn't ask
It's hard to see the pain behind the mask
Bearing the burden of a secret storm
Sometimes she wishes she was never born

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete angel

Somebody cries in the middle of the night
The neighbors hear, but they turn out the lights
A fragile soul caught in the hands of fate
When morning comes it'll be too late

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete angel

A statue stands in a shaded place
An angel girl with an upturned face
A name is written on a polished rock
A broken heart that the world forgot

Through the wind and the rain
She stands hard as a stone
In a world that she can't rise above
But her dreams give her wings
And she flies to a place where she's loved
Concrete angel

Watch "Concrete Angel" video.