Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse

~ Stacy

I’m honored that a version of my essay, Not My Child: Protecting My Son from a Sexual Predator, is featured today on the MOPS International blog, Hello, Dearest.

For a writer, there is nothing more affirming than when the words of your heart encourage and empower others.

I’m grateful to Leslie Means at Her View from Home for creating the platform for the original story, and to the editors at Hello, Dearest for keeping this important conversation alive.

Thank you. ❤

Read the essay at Hello, Dearest –>

*image via MOPS.org

 

13 thoughts on “Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse”

  1. May the Lord bless and keep you, your family, friends, loved ones and those you care about in the palm of His hand and in the center of His will in ALL and through ALL times.
    May the Spirit, His promised comforter, always immerse, saturate and surround you. Thank you for walking in His courage, strength and obedience. Hugs. ~

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  2. You are absolutely correct that you need to trust your gut about such things. I am thankful you were able to protect your son from something so heinous. Please realize that your advice here is just the beginning. Keep in mind that one-third of perpetrators are juveniles themselves and a whopping 30% of perpetrators are family members. Yes, please be diligent to protect your babies, but also remember there is no fool-proof plan to prevent it from happening. If a child is abused, the absolute most important aspect in the healing of that child is the response/support he or she is given following disclosure.

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    1. Yes, yes, thank you for adding these insights. I am pleased that a lot of the conversations I’ve been hearing about this topic involve parents who have prohibited their children from spending time with other kids outside of the supervision of a truly trusted adult (sleepovers, etc). Since juveniles are often the offenders themselves, it’s crucial for children to understand boundaries and body privacy.

      You raise another excellent point about child abuse victims needing timely and possibly long-term support from his/her network after abuse takes place. I hope parents will seek out for their children the kind of help they need after any degree of altercation.

      Thank you for taking the time to read the essay and leave such an important comment.

      Best,

      Stacy

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      1. I genuinely appreciate that you wrote about such a tough subject and therefore spurred on many needed conversations. As a mam dealing with this now, I am always pleased when someone offers correct information to help prevent something similar happening to another family.

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        1. Thank you for the kind support. Yes, it is a tough subject indeed. I am deeply encouraged that so many people are keeping this important conversation alive. Peace to you and your family as you trudge a difficult stretch along your path.

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  3. Oh my gosh Stacy. This hit SO close to home for me. I’ve had similar experiences in the intuition department and it sucks feeling that way, but it’s a necessary defense mechanism that I’m SO grateful for. I love your statement, “But your child is your treasure, and you always have the right to say no.” YES. Yes, yes, yes. Thank you for writing this and sharing your experience. This encouragement, insight and information needs to be out in the open so we can all become more aware.

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    1. Thank you so much, Kelsey. I’m encouraged that you felt affirmed in your mama’s intuition, and am honored that so many wise and wonderful women are participating in this important conversation. Thank you for reading and reaching out!

      Stacy

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  4. I read this not too long ago. Totally hit home. I’m so thankful that I always trust my gut & intuition like you… but your right, you didn’t escape this. Opportunities for this to happen can always arise in the future & it’s so important that you’ve shared your story to help other families be MORE AWARE.

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  5. This was such an important article to write and I am so glad to have read it. Thank you for your view, for trusting your instincts and for protecting your son! I definitely think about this often with my two little girls. Sound advice, thank you.

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