As a parent, you have an important role in helping your child recover from sexual abuse. This information takes a brief look at ways to help your child and yourself through this difficult experience.
Helping your child recover from abuse
Your role in helping your child recover is crucial. They will need your ongoing support, belief and protection. It will be helpful if you try to:
- Spend time with your child
- Accept that your child may be acting differently
- Respect your child’s wishes and be sensitive to their emotional needs.
Do’s and don’ts when you speak with your child
The most important message to get across to your child is that you do not blame them for the abuse.
Do:
- Tell them you believe them
- Reassure and support them
- Tell them that you do not blame them
- Tell them that you will try to keep them safe
- Let them know that you love them
- Let them know that you are glad that they told you
- Give them time to talk at their own pace
- Be open and clear
- Allow your child to talk about how they feel
- Try to be calm.
Don’t:
- Blame your child for what happened
- Suggest that it would have been better if they had not told anyone
- Tell your child that you blame yourself
- Tell your child to forget it ever happened
- Tell your child not to talk about it
- Get upset when your child talks about the abuse.
Look after yourself
This is a very difficult time and you need to take care of yourself so that you can cope and be there to help your child. It may help if you:
- Talk to a counsellor, close friend or to other parents of children who have been sexually abused
- Look after your health
- Organise some time out for yourself.
Where to get help
- Centres Against Sexual Assault. Tel. (03) 9344 2210 (24 hours)
- Speak with the Child Protection worker if involved with your family about support services.
- Your local Department of Human Services office
- Local support groups for parents of children who have been sexually abused
- Legal Aid offices
- Your local community health centre.
Things to remember
- You have a vital role in helping your child recover from sexual abuse.
- You are not responsible for the abuse. The abuser is the only person responsible.
- This is an extremely difficult time, so seek help and look after your needs as well as your child’s needs.
You might also be interested in:
Child abuse - Child Protection Service.
Child abuse - reporting procedures.
Domestic violence - tips for children.
Domestic violence and children.
Parenting support to help prevent abuse.
Pornography on the internet.
Sexual abuse - an overview.
Sexual assault.
Want to know more?
Go to More information for support groups, related links and references.
| 
Home >
Fact sheets by category >
Healthy living >
Sex >
Sexual abuse >
Sexual abuse - ....
