How to Protect Your Disabled Child from Sexual Abuse
When one turns into a parent, it is quite easy to understand the burden of responsibility on our shoulders. The responsibility is greater when the child is disabled. As parents, we must teach at least some form of information to our children with disabilities so that they can ward off instances and chances of sexual abuse. This can come from a proper education. Let us check out some pointers!
Teach them about their body
When you educate a child on any specific topic, you have to keep in mind that they deserve the truth. We have to name each body part quite clearly when interacting with a specially-abled child about abuse. Some parts of the child’s body might be different from the others. Some young children need to be educated about their private parts. Once it is taught that there are some places that no one should touch at any cost, the child will learn to become cautious of any kind of unwanted behavior. Allow the child to talk clearly in case any incident of abuse has already taken place.
Teaching about boundaries
We must teach our children, especially those who are able differently, that there are certain boundaries of touch that no one should cross at any cost. A child should know that people are not allowed to touch his or her private parts at any instance. A child should also be taught about the significance of not touching oneself. It is often forgotten that an abuser begins the act while asking the child to touch oneself in the private parts.
Read more: 8 Social Skills to Harness as an Intellectually Disabled
The “No Picture” Rule
We should make it a point to teach our children that no one is allowed to take their images without the permission of their guardians. Some sexual abusers are known to stalk their victims before they start taking on the act. This usually begins with taking images. We should be careful to warn our children that they should not allow any stranger to take their pictures. It cannot be stressed enough that putting on naked and cute images of your children on social media is not secure. This has almost taken the shape of an epidemic, putting the children at risk.
Teaching the value of "No"
A child should be taught about the value of telling “no” when he or she is in an uncomfortable situation. When our children with disabilities get into a condition where they are severely uncomfortable, they should be taught beforehand that “No” indeed has value! We have to teach the children that if someone wishes to touch them in their private parts, they should be able to say no at all costs. This can be done when a child is taught some excuses to escape from these conditions!
Using code words
Often children with disabilities might not have the right means of communication through which they will be able to communicate with their guardians. As their caregivers, we should be able to develop a certain kind of code word or gesture that will prove that they are in a situation of sexual abuse. This codeword or gesture can be anything based on the child’s comfort. For example, if your child calls you up from a sleepover and uses the code word, you will be able to discern that something abnormal has happened. You will be able to rescue your child all at once!
Avoid Secrets
When our child has some form of disability, it becomes more of our duty to care for them. To do so, we should have a transparent relationship with our children. We should not have any secrets with our children until they reach a certain age. This can avoid several mishaps and create a healthy bonding with the children. Moreover, when a transparent bond between the guardians and the child exists, it becomes easier to convey information from both sides. We may get to know about some uncomfortable situations if the child is willing to share information from the very beginning.
Caution about close people
We should always remember that 65% of child abuse cases stem from the abuse perpetrated by close family members. We should be careful enough to warn our children, especially those with disabilities, that close people like relatives might also harm them. The guardians should remember this as well, as we need to trust our children when they share any such experience about someone close to us! This is an extremely significant part of the lesson.
Conclusion
Our primary duty is to let a child know that he or she is safe when they are with their parents. Thus, along with teaching these precautionary points to the children, we have to educate ourselves to avoid sexual abuse of children with disabilities at any cost!