The Atrocity of Child Abuse: It is Our Job to Protect Our Children
Statistics reveal that the average sexual predator abuses 15 to 20 kids before he is ever caught. It is interesting to note that the sexual predator only has a 3% chance of getting caught. Our children are in trouble and there is no place for them to turn except us! Not only is child abuse an atrocity it is also an epidemic in America and around the world today. It is my desire that this study will help you to identify negative effect of sexual abuse on children and there are factors that increase the severity of the effect it has on children. I also hope to make you aware of the characteristics of sexual predators and that way you can be armed to help watch for them in the lives you the children around you.
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.” (Mark 9:42).
Statics will show there are 80,000 reported cases of child abuse each year in America. The number of unreported is far greater. There are many reasons why there are unreported instances the main reason is the children are afraid to tell anyone. (AACAP, 2011).
There is 20-40% of females will be sexually abused by age 18 and 2-9% of boys are sexually abused by the time they reach 18. Sexual abuse is when someone with a lesser power is tricked, trapped, coerced, or bribed into some type of sexual experience. This is more likely to happen by a molester who is known and far too often trusted family member or a family friend. The sexual abuse is a life changing atrocity that affects physical, emotional, mental and spiritual life of a child. It leaves visible scars of low self-esteem and self-confidence. Also of the victims trust issues not only for family member and relationships but also with the relationship and trust they might have with the Lord. (Alison-David, 2012)
Jesus has clearly said that we are to let the little children come unto Him without hindrance. As representatives of His body it is vital that the followers of Christ, especially the women, take the clear and bold statement against the abuse and neglect of children.
Mark 10:13-14 makes it clear: “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
Matthew 18:1-7 also give a strong indication how important the little child is to Him: “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
There are often times no obvious external signs of child who has been sexual abuse. Sexually abused children may also develop the following:
• Unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature
• sleep problems or nightmares
• Depression or withdrawal from friends or family
• Seductiveness
• Statements that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area
• Refusal to go to school
• Delinquency/conduct problems
• Secretiveness
• Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies
• Unusual aggressiveness
• Suicidal behavior
Child sexual abusers or predator can make the child extremely fearful of telling. It takes a great deal to help make a child of abuse feel safe where they can talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should try to remain calm and reassure the child that what happened was not their fault. The next step is to seek help from law enforcement and counseling as well. It usually will take family counseling because child abuse affects everyone involved with the child. (AACAP, 2011)
Factors that increase the severity of the effect of child abuse:
Abuse that is frequent and of longer duration has more impact
The more closely related the victim and perpetrator and the wider the age difference between the two the greater the impact
Abuse by a male has been found to be more harmful than that of a female
Physical or sexual penetration of any kind is more harmful
Sadistic or violent abuse is more harmful
Those who respond passively may develop quilt has a long term impact because they tend to blame themselves
Adolescents having a physical response to the abuse carry more guilt
Victims who attempts to report the abuse and nobody listens causes more damage (Langberg, 2003)
When we look at the warning signs of a sex predator that can be observed by adults who work with children or observe children involved in their lives they commonly find:
When an adult refuses to let a child set his/her own limits
When an adult insists on hugging, touching, tickling, a child even when the child refuses
When an adult is overly interested in the sexual of a child
An adult demands alone time with a child with no interruptions
An adult who spends his/her spare time with children rather than his/her own peers
An adult who regularly offers to babysit children for free
Adults who take children on overnight outings alone
An adult who buys children expensive gifts or gives them money for no reason
An adult who frequently walks in on children in private places such as bathrooms or bedrooms
An adult who looks at child pornography
An adult who talks about sexual fantasies with children
When an adult encourages secrets with a child
An adult who refers to a child or children by sexual names such as slut or whore
All of these are warning signs that need to be stopped. Being women of Christ we must not be afraid to step in and seek help for those little victims who have no one to step up and help. Research shows we have NOT been successful in rehabilitating these offenders of any kind. Even the programs that are specific for sexual predators and abusers may work sometimes, but it would be foolish to assume that it does work. (Langberg, 2003).
Dr. Gene Abel of Emory University in Atlanta examined a group of sex offenders in 1985. Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Abel’s research concluded that the typical sexual offender against children is male, begins molesting by age 15, engages in a variety of deviant behavior, and “molests an average of 117 youngsters, most of whom do not report the offense.” Dr. Abel emphasized that offenders seek legitimate access to children, noting that “child molesters seek out jobs to access kids.” (Abel, 1985).
There are red flag behaviors that are exhibited by children who have been abused. Not all children react in the same way these are only warning signs.
The internal behavior ten to be isolated and more stand-offish, they tend not to associate with other adults
Inability to trust or even love others
There may be signs of depression having no interest in eating, sleeping, having a lack of playfulness
The children could show phobias such as being in closed spaces, even closed doors
Excessive startle response
Sleep disturbances such as nightmares or night terrors
Regressive behavior they may even regress to sucking their thumb
Self-punishing such as cutting or self-mutilation even sticking pins in their bodies
Suicidal thoughts
Flashbacks and nightmares
Sudden use of sexual terms or new names for body parts
(Kazdin, 1985).
These are only a few of the signs. Any time there is a radical change in the demeanor of a child more investigation should be made. The atrocity of child sexual abuse is real and should be a growing concern for all Christian women of Christ. It is an epidemic. Fact is, child predators are all around us. They can be the average, often model citizens living in your neighborhood and attending your churches.
Most predator offenders admit privately to more victims than those for whom he had been charged with. Most predators have been charged and /or convicted from one to three victims. Many children do not tell their parents out of fear of the offender, shame of their helplessness, love and protection of a parent or the fear they may be gay. (Salter, 2003, p. 14)
The way we can prevent child sexual abuse from occurring in our communities always begins with education about child abuse and its effects on our children. Average Predator victimizes 50-150 children before they are arrested. The mind of a predator: How they think and act:
Lead a double life
They prey on trustful and vulnerable children
Predator can be found in churches
Predators will prey on kids that adults will not believe
Child predators do their homework to see what church need someone to give them access to children
Child predators do their homework to see what church need someone to give them access to children
They approach slowly just to see how they react to him. They are cowardly crafty but a coward none the less. Taking children places, buying them gifts, and talking with them this will win their trust and then you can molest them. These predators finds the child they are attracted to, then look at the family life, then look for the one that is most accessible and then that is the one you molest. Predators will prey on kids that adults will not believe. (Tchividjian, 2009)
There needs to be an environment where children can feel safe and parents are educated and aware there are sexual predators. Children should be taught good and bad touching. Be aware that there are 20% of all children 10-17 have been solicited online by an adult. Beware of men who spend lots of time with children and do not have children of their own. Check to see if they have any adult friends.
Our LORD God demands we honor ourselves and His creation. We must always remember that He loves the little children and we as Women of Christ are the first defense in protecting them from a world that as gone crazy. Every child can be targeted by a child sex offender. Do not let that child be yours.
“And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” (Mark 9:36-37)
References:
AACAP. (2011). Facts for Families No 9 Child Sexual Abuse. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. March 2011.
Abel, G.G. (1985). The Evaluation of Child Molesters: Final Report to the Center on Antisocial and Violent Behavior. Rockville, MD: National Institute of Mental Health.
Allison-Davis, A. (2012). Break the Silence- And take back your life. Charlotte, NC. Journal of Methodist Counseling and Consultation Services. ISSN# 1937-1667.
Kazdin, A. E., Moser, J., Colbus, D., & Bell, R. (1985). Depressive symptoms among physically abused and psychiatrically disturbed children. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 94(3), 298-307
Langberg, Diane. (2003). Counseling Survivors Of Sexual Abuse. Longwood, FL: Xulon Press.
Salter, Anna. C. (2003). Predator: Pedophiles, Rapists, And Other Sex Offenders : Who They Are, How They Operate, And How We Can Protect Ourselves And Our Children. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Tchividjian, Basyle. (2009). Lecture Preventing Child Abuse. Liberty University Christian Counseling 302.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Atrocity of Child Abuse: It is Our Job to Protect Our Children:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015 <https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1837,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “The Atrocity of Child Abuse: It is Our Job to Protect Our Children:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1837,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “The Atrocity of Child Abuse: It is Our Job to Protect Our Children:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1837, (accessed).
