Sexual Abuse in Children
The Bohol Child Health Care Advocates (BCHCA) had the 18th postgraduate course today at JJ’s seafoods restaurant in Tagbilaran City.
It was a success and one of the topics that made me interested was the “Good touch, the Bad Touch: Prevention, Avoidance and detection of Sexual Abuse in Children”.
This topic was explained in detail through a panel discussion with Dr Suzette Redillas, Mam Irene Boligao, a social worker, Mam Lorelie Flores, a psychologist and PCPT Girlie Tolop, police from the women and child protection unit.
In the discussion, touch is classified into:
1. Good touch
– a touch that is caring, respectful, appropriate physical contact that makes the child feel safe and loved
2. Bad touch
– any touch that causes discomfort, confusion, fear or shame especially in private parts, one with coercion, secrecy of threats
We wonder why abused children will take time to tell what happened to them. This is called, “The Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome”. In this syndrome, there is secrecy because the abused child feels helpless, then she feels “accommodation” or used to it so it results to being delayed in telling somebody of her ordeal, there is conflicted and unconvincing disclosure that may result to retractions.
The experts pointed out clues on how to detect a bad touch. The physical indicators of a bad touch include:
– bruising, bleeding, injury to the genital parts
– difficulty in sitting, walking or urinating
– having sexually transmitted disease
– pregnancy in minors and
– stained or bloody underwear
Verbal clues that an abused child may present include:
– direct or indirect statement about being touched
– using sexual term beyond developmental age
– describing secrets involving body or adults
Furthermore, there are risk factors identified within family dynamics that may trigger abuse and these are:
– dysfunctional relationships
– power imbalance
– secrecy and denial
– abscess or neglect of parental figures
– intergenerational abuse
– and lack of boundaries
To avoid abuse, the following protective family dynamics should be activated:
– open and honest communication about safety and respect
– loving, supportive and attentive parents and care givers should be around
– clear rules and privacy boundaries at home
– encouragement and protection when a child reports abuse
So, when a child reports an abuse, treat it with confidentiality. The statements should be recorded verbatim , there must be a joint interview to avoid trauma as the child narrates the incident, there must be a separate interview of the mother and the patient, then a thorough physical examination should be initiated. After this, a report should be done within 72 hours of the incident.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has the legal duty to protect, to assist and to ensure justice for every child, child victim of abuse or exploitation. PCPT Girlie Tolop pointed out that it is the duty of the PNP to immediately protect the abused child, the PNP will receive and record the complaint, conduct initial investigation, do referral and coordination and do case filing and legal action.
Dr Suzette Redillas informed the participants that the key government agencies involved in protecting the abused child are the following:
– DSWD/LSWB
– PNP- Women and children protection desk
– Women and Children Protection Unit
– DOJ/ Prosecutor’s office