Don't Be Afraid to Tell

To children who have been or is currently being sexually abuse - TELL SOMEBODY!

Just a few days ago, I was doing a bit of studying on the subject of sexual abuse. In everything I could find, the primary reasons children do not tell their parents are an adult close to them about abuse are:

* Fear of death or bodily harm (many abusers threaten small children)
** Fear of harm to parents or separation from parents (some abusers make threats to harm the parents if the child tells, or they say the state will take the children away from parents)
*** Guilt and shame (many abused children feel dirty and believe it is their own faults)

Whatever your reason for being silent, please realize that you can only get help if you confide in someone. Talk to a parent, a family member, a teacher or school counselor, or a church member. You cannot stop the abuse yourself. You need help. It isn't your fault. Don't allow shame to make you stay in a dangerous situation.

For information about surviving sexual abuse, please visit the RAINN website.