That decision can make a child more vulnerable to a sexual predator, says Jill Starishevsky, a child abuse and sex crimes prosecutor in New York City. Yet, it’s a topic that makes most parents uncomfortable, and therefore less inclined to broach it with their child. But if I had been able to talk to someone, I know I would have gotten help.”Įxperts say that today there is plenty of available language to use with children to help keep them safe from sexual abuse. People just weren’t looking for signs back then. “I had no idea how to approach my parents about it. “It was the late 60s, and no one even talked about sex education, so I had no language to explain what was happening to me,” says McLean, a New York City-based karate instructor. Even though I knew what was happening was wrong, I didn’t know how wrong. I hid it from everyone and blamed myself for what happened, as children do. During that time, says McLean, who wrote Unraveling Charlie (Create Space Publishing) about his experience, “it impacted my behavior and attitude. The abuse would continue for three years. Learn how and when to talk to your children about sexual abuse, and how to handle suspected abuse.ĭonald McLean was 12 when he was molested by his sister’s favorite teacher, someone his family trusted to be a mentor to Donald. But not talking to our kids about appropriate vs. It’s a topic no parent wants to even think about. By Liza Burby AugGet kid-friendly activities sent to you! Subscribe
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