What To Do If Your Child Has Been Abused

More from Oprah's web site. This information is about how you can deal with your child, should you find your child has been abused.

How to Help Your Child Deal with Molestation

• If your child tells you that he or she has been touched inappropriately, stay calm. Your reaction may make your child feel more guilty or afraid, and they might have a harder time talking about it.
• Tell your child that you are glad they told you about it. Telling was a good way to take care of themselves and also the person who touched them. That person needs help with their "touching problem." Tell your child that you will take care of things. Tell your child that you will need to talk to someone to figure out what to do next. Be careful to not make promises that you cannot keep.
• Seek support and comfort for yourself where the child can't see or hear what you say.
• In order to avoid confusion, anxiety or guilt, children should not overhear conversations about their disclosure. Too much information or discussion can also interfere with the police investigation or prosecution.
• Call your local child abuse hotline or local police department and report the abuse. Failing to report the abuse may mean that other children might get abused, too. Don't try to handle the situation yourself.
• The prognosis for healing after being molested is better for children who are supported and believed when they disclose.
• Don't allow any further contact between your child and the alleged offender. Don't confront the offender yourself.
  

Take Legal Action

• Jill DiCarlo, a Deputy District Attorney who prosecutes child molesters, warns that the biggest mistake a parent can make is not reporting sexual abuse to the authorities.
• It is crucial to the child that you report abuse and pursue prosecution.
• The child has the opportunity to get justice. It gives them satisfaction.
• Persecution helps make sure that the abuser cannot strike again.
  

The source material for this information is here.