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	Community Groups Can Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, Advocates Say By Alison Knezevich Charleston Gazette September 10, 2011 http://wvgazette.com/News/201109091226 With kids headed back to their after-school activities, it's a good idea for parents to check out their extracurricular groups' polices on preventing sexual abuse, West Virginia child advocates say. Church and scouting groups, sports teams, schools, and other youth-based organizations should all take steps to cut the risk of abuse, say representatives of the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network and Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia. For instance, these groups should have policies that require initial and recurring background checks for employees who work with kids, said Emily Chittenden-Laird, who is executive director of the advocacy network. Organizations that serve kids should rely not only on criminal background checks for employees, but also on checks through the state's Child Protective Services, so they can discover substantiated allegations of abuse and neglect, said Jim McKay, state coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia. "A lot of child abuse cases do not escalate to criminal prosecution," said McKay, whose organization trains groups on how to prevent abuse. Groups should also prevent situations where children are in one-on-one settings with adults. Experts have found that this can dramatically reduce the risk of abuse, McKay said. If one child and one adult must meet for a personal conference, the adult should make sure that the meeting takes place in an open room where other people can see them. It is not common for strangers to sexually abuse children, he said. "People think of somebody in a trench coat on a playground," McKay said. "It's more often someone that the family knows and trusts." Sexual abuse is much more widespread than most people think, Chittenden-Laird said. One in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused by their 18th birthday. Many kids never tell anyone about the abuse because they think the topic is taboo and they're afraid of distressing their parents, so it's important for parents to recognize the possible signs and talk openly with their kids about body safety, she said. (See accompanying list of signs.) They can broach the subject "as soon as [their kids] are talking," she said, adding that parents should know what words their children use for body parts. Parents should also not blame themselves, Chittenden-Laird said. "The most important thing is to believe your children when they tell you and to support them and to find the appropriate help for them," she said. Parents can contact one of the state's 19 child advocacy centers, which work to coordinate investigations and interventions into child abuse cases. It is important for parents to keep a balanced perspective, McKay said. "You want to be vigilant, you want to be aware," he said. "But the reality is, I don't want people to be so scared that they don't trust anybody. It's kind of a balancing act." Traditionally, abuse prevention -- such as school-based lessons that teach kids about "stranger danger" -- has given the responsibility of stopping abuse to children, McKay said. Today, there is more emphasis on what the community can do. "It's really up to adults to keep kids safe, and that's where these policies come from," McKay said. Physical signs of sexual abuse are not common, although redness, rashes or swelling in the genital area, urinary tract infections, or other such symptoms should be carefully investigated. Also, physical problems associated with anxiety, such as chronic stomach pain or headaches, may occur. Emotional or behavioral signals are more common. These can run from "too perfect" behavior, to withdrawal and depression, to unexplained anger and rebellion. Sexual behavior and language that are not age-appropriate can be a red flag. Be aware that in some children there are no signs whatsoever.
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