CHILDREN come into this world as innocent babies, longing for someone to care for them. As they grow, it is essential that they bond with someone, their caregiver(s). And so they bond, they grow and learn to trust and love. They depend on their caregiver(s) to feed them, to soothe them when distressed, to bathe and dress them, to provide security and affection. The caregivers interact daily with the child, building the child’s intelligence and social and emotional abilities.An understanding flourishes as the child grows older. The child recognises and accepts these are his/her caregivers. “I love, and have trusted them from inception; they are always there for me; they comfort me when I am ill; they provide for me when I am in need. I have a sincere relationship with them, and all is well”.

Then one day one of the caregivers touches that child in a place and in a way that is wrong. “I know it is wrong, it is not normal, it feels like they are intruding my body and my mind, they tell me not to tell anybody, and not to worry because it’s alright. Immediately, my world has changed from one of surety and security to a world of confusion, worry and fear. This is wrong, but how can it be?

“This is the person that I bonded with at birth, the same person who soothed me, fed me, hugged me and played with me. I love and trust this caregiver”. Out of displaced loyalty, the child accepts and complies, and so the molestation begins.

Children do not partake in sexual acts the same way a consenting adult would. They are children, their minds are still developing, and adults are meant to help them develop in the right way. Sexual abuse is a violation of their bodies, their rights, and their minds.

Perpetrators use their position of trust, or the dependency on funds or food, as collateral to carry out their evil crimes on children.
Is it any wonder that many cases of child sexual abuse are not reported, and continue for years, only surfacing when the child becomes old enough to understand that they were coerced into sexual acts while they were meant to be having a carefree childhood?

Some children don’t tell because they are too young to explain what was done to them. Others who are old enough feel guilty, worthless or ashamed, believing the abuse is their fault.

The emotional and psychological dysfunction accompanying abuse means that some children protect the perpetrator because they are confused by the attention, feelings, and then the possible embarrassment that may ensue if the abuse were disclosed. Families could be ripped apart; the perpetrator and child would be in trouble; accusations of lies, displaced trust and heartache may follow.

Children who are sexually abused usually end up with a distorted view of sex. They have low self-esteem, thoughts of suicide, and some indulge in self-harm (cutting themselves). However, with help, some victims can go on to lead productive lives.

We need to empower our children to speak up at the slightest inappropriate behaviour towards them. We must work towards eliminating child sexual abuse from our society by continually monitoring our children and by having an active, genuine interest in their lives.

A message from the Childcare and Protection Agency of the Ministry of Social Protection
Childcare and Protection Hotline 227-0979, or email childcaregy@gmail.com