How does child sexual abuse, or any trauma really, impact a person—body and soul? In his brilliant book, The Body Keeps the Score,* Bessel van der Kolk M.D. outlines the effects trauma can have on the body. According to van der Kolk, “Trauma is an event that overwhelms the central nervous system, altering the way
What does it look like when someone is plotting and planning a not-so-nice future with another individual, adult or child? I discovered the formula for abuse—relational and/or sexual—in Sandy Kirkham’s riveting memoir about her abuse experience at the hands of her youth pastor. Read on if you’re wondering: Am I being groomed for (sexual) abuse?
Does your child know what consent is? If you’ve not yet discussed consent with the kids you’re raising, make sure to schedule a time to chat about it before school starts. Because really, consent is the foundation of child safety. When you explain consent to your kids, make sure they also understand body (or bodily)
Does summertime child safety look different than child safety the rest of the year? Actually, it does. Which is why I’m offering up today’s child safety tip. Incidents of child sexual abuse peak at certain times. After school (ie. before parents or primary caregivers return home from work) Summertime (While parents or primary caregivers are
When I found six evidence-based recommendations on the topic of “What helps children tell,” a blog post was born! As a survivor of child sexual abuse and a body safety educator in public schools, I’ve got some things to say about each of these suggestions listed on the website of the fantastic child safety organization,
Two recent events led to this blog post regarding individuals living with a sexual attraction to children. Earlier this month, I attended a virtual lunch-and-learn on the topic of people living with a sexual attraction to children. The Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse (out of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of
Guest post by Mandi Pierson For the better part of two decades, I have worked with women who have survived unthinkable trauma. I live in central Ohio where sex trafficking is being recognized, and innovative efforts are made to address the issue on all fronts, from demand to treatment and recovery. Having worked in gender
Guest post by Nicole Braddock Bromley I am overwhelmed and pained by the stories around us of coaches and teachers grooming players and students for sexual abuse. This scenario is every parent’s nightmare and terribly devastating when it happens under the leadership of someone you trusted as a coach and/or school professional. 90% of the
Child on child sexual abuse is on the rise. When I heard the above fact announced more than once at last year’s Darkness to Light Envision conference, I was concerned. Because growing up, I experienced sexual abuse at the hands of an older, more powerful child. It’s an uncomfortable idea to consider, one child sexually
Ever since I listened to this podcast episode, I’ve been a bit obsessed. About the current sextortion scheme—I blogged about it here—and kids watching pornography. The statistics on the topic are pretty crazy, so I decided to check out the report mentioned during the podcast episode. The very long report. Since not everyone has as much time on
