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How to Help Your Child Say NO to Molestation

Molestation starts subtle and if uncurbed, degenerate to outright sexual abuse. The daily increasing rate at which this menace stare at us makes it imperative to help our children say no to molestation. Children, due to their innocence are at higher risk to sexual violence than adults. A statistical report reveals that 1 out of every 10 children is sexually abused before age 18. This could be worse in societies where statistics are either unavailable or inaccurate. Most cases are never reported due to poor justice systems in some climes. Here are tips for helping a child say no to molestation.

Help Your Child Know Boundaries

A child should say no to molestation whenever a culprit starts to encroach on the boundary areas. A good knowledge of the boundaries, which include parts of the body that must be kept private is required. Boundaries could also be words or visuals (video, pictures) with sexual undertone or obscenity. Molesters are usually familiar people who seek closeness using those tickling avenues in subtle ways. Children should know that when someone, no matter how familiar they are, starts to tickle them in a way, it is wrong.

Discourage Secrecy

Molesters needs secrecy to perpetuate their evil act. They may start by giving a child nice, unsolicited gifts with instructions not to allow their parents to be aware of it. Once a child is able to consistently keep those gift away from their parent’s knowledge, the deed is almost done. To help a child say no to molestation, openness should be encouraged. You should be your children’s confidant.

Inspire Courage Against Threat

"The righteous are as bold as lion!" Abusers often threaten their victims with terrible consequences if the secret evil is divulged. A child that’s inspired with courage can damn any consequence, knowing that there is a higher authority and power available to help. If a child knows that the parent despite his/her mistake will be protective rather than being judgmental, the child grows in confidence overtime and is ready to say no to molestation.

Emotional Bank Account

Identify how your child likes to be loved and fill their emotional bank account with those valuable deposits. Quality time, physical touch, affirming words, gifts, and acts of service are ways by which a child might want to be loved per time. If a deprived child finds this elsewhere other than from parents, he/she is exposed. You can help your child to say no to molestation by being there emotionally. listen to them, be kind, be receptive, give, care, hug your child often and verbalize your love.

Alarm Strategy During Emergency

No molester can stand an alarm. They perpetuate evil in secrecy and quietness. They are cowards, who lack self esteem and seek the paths of least resistance. Encourage your child to scream for help whenever they sense the danger of sexual abuse. Train them to scream a big NO whenever they are being pestered to cooperate in abusive act.

Child sexual abuse is a serious issue in our society with emotional and mental problems often being the immediate consequence and symptom. Trauma, physical injury, venereal disease, dropping out of school, alcoholism, phobia, and so forth are other problems that accompany sexual abuse. It behooves us as proactive parents and guardians to help our children say no to molestation. I hope you find the foregoing tips helpful.

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