True or False
True or False: Most children do not know the person who abused them.
False
In reported cases, 75% of abusers are someone the child and family know and trust, like a family member or friend.
Name three types of trauma.
Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Big Weather Event (hurricane, flood, tornado), Someone You Love Dying, Parents Fighting
Name 3 feelings kids often have about being sexually abused.
Angry, Fearful, Anxiety, Embarrassment, Sad
Sometimes an abuser will give the child special treats so the child will go along with the sexual abuse, or will keep the abuse a secret. Did this happen to you?
Thank you for sharing.
True or False: Children are resilient and can recover from sexual abuse with support from their caregivers and therapy.
True!
What three things might happen when we experience trauma, and our brain and body take over? (Hint: they all start with "F")
Fight, Flight, or Freeze
Fill in the blank: "I feel proud of myself because _______________________________________"
I got a good grade on a hard test, I learned a new trick on my skateboard, I told someone I trusted about my abuse, I am working hard in therapy to learn new things.
If you had a magic wand and could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
Those are good wishes.
True or False: Children regularly lie about being sexually abused for attention.
False.
Children rarely lie about sexual abuse. It is unlikely that a child will make up an incident that can bring feelings of hurt, shame, and guilt.
Name three trauma responses.
Trauma responses can be physical or emotional. Trauma responses can include upset stomach, headaches, avoiding things that remind you of trauma, trouble focusing, difficulty sleeping, changes in mood, and many more.
My abuser would get in trouble. They wouldn't believe me. No one would listen to me. I would get in trouble.
What was one thing your abuser said or did to make you keep the abuse a secret?
Thank you for sharing. It is not always easy to talk about abuse, but it is really important to help you heal.
True or False: Child sexual abuse is a rare experience happening to a very few children.
False.
Child sexual abuse affects kids of different genders, ages, skin colors, economic lines, and locations. As many as one in five children will be sexually abused before they reach age 18.
When we experience trauma, what part of our brain tends to take over, the thinking brain or the emotional brain?
The Emotional Brain
Fill in the blank: "Since I told about the abuse I have been feeling ________________________________"
What did the abuser say would happen if you told about the abuse?
Thank you for sharing.