Chapter 13
Preventing
child sexual abuse
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It might seem strange to find information about sexual abuse in a book on
helping children who cannot hear well. But, sadly, children who are deaf
are even more at risk for sexual abuse than children who are not deaf. So it
is very important for families with deaf children, and those who care for or
teach deaf children, to know about it.
Keep our children safe
No one has the right to use a
child for sex.
• Not a family member
(child or adult)
• Not a family friend
• Not a neighbor
• Not a stranger
• Not a teacher
• Not a caregiver
Not anyone!
We parents need to
talk about sexual
abuse — with each
other and with our
children.
Talking
about it is
the first step
in stopping
it. Silence
only protects
abusers.
Yet it is hard to talk about sexual abuse. In many places:
• people do not know what sexual abuse is, how it happens, and the
harm it causes.
• people are uncomfortable talking about sex.
• people do not want to believe that sexual abuse happens to very
young children, so they do not think or talk about it.
• rules or customs limit who can talk to children about sex, what can
be said, and when such conversations can happen.
Every child should be safe from sexual abuse.
Keeping children safe from abuse is every adult’s responsibility.