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What to Do If ...

Learning of the sexual abuse of a child is a shocking discovery. Very often, the abuser is someone the child knows – a member of the family, a close family friend or neighbor, so sometimes the discovery is very difficult for parents to accept.

• If a child tells you about sexual abuse you should believe what he/she child tells you and try to find out more about it.

Children very rarely lie about this kind of abuse. This includes direct or indirect reports, such as “I have a friend who…” The child in your care needs to know that he/she can tell you anything.

In many cases of abuse, children never tell anyone what has happened. Unfortunately, not telling makes the abuse more traumatic for the child and allows the perpetrator to continue the abuse. Why don’t children tell? Because it doesn’t feel safe to tell.

• Encourage the child to talk freely.

• Don’t criticize or make judgmental comments about the child or the abuser. This includes comments such as “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” or "I told you not to go to the park." It also includes comments about the abuser, who might be someone the child also loves such as a family member.

• Instead, show that you believe him/her and tell the child they did the right thing by telling you and you are glad he/she told you.

• Tell the child that he/she didn’t do anything wrong. Explain that the child had no other choice in that situation and that you are happy he/she survived the incident.

• Listen, but do not force the child to describe the details of the incident.

• Tell the child that you will do your best to help find a way for the abuse to stop.

• Help the child receive medical attention and counseling immediately and report the incident.

Adults are always the people responsible if they abuse children. An abused child should never be blamed. 

If a child tells you about some kind of abuse, a supportive response from you will help them take the first step to healing and the abuser may get help, too. Call Taiwan's hotline on "113" or contact us for more help.

All services provided by the Garden of Hope are strictly confidential.

Child safety starts with adults!