Let your children know they are not allowed to accept gifts, money, or special favors without asking a parent first. It can be confusing for a child to be sexually abused, because the abuse can often “feel good” to their bodies. They don’t understand that it’s wrong. Abusers are often very good about not physically hurting the child (at least not right away) because they don’t want them to tell. On top of that they will give the child special treatment, favors, or give them gifts, money, alcohol, drugs, etc. to further encourage them to remain silent. If the abuse continues, the child may begin to feel that they are “allowing” this abuse, that they are responsible for their actions. This further reduces the chance that they will tell someone. But children also know rules are important, so make sure your kids know the rules about secrets & gifts.

 _{Sections on this page have been adapted from TheMamaBearEffect}