Listen, Respond, and Report Child Sexual Abuse
Over 95% of Gratiot County children and teens who visit the Children’s Advocacy Center are sexually abused by someone they know – over 75% by a family member. These statistics are important when we think about children seeking a trusted adult to share their story for the first time.
There are so many reasons why children and teens delay disclosing abuse or never disclose at all. The person who abuses them may be a caregiver or someone else they are supposed to respect. Victims may think they are at fault for what has happened, feeling shame or worse, fearing repercussions from parents or other family members. Kids and teens may also feel responsible for their family’s well-being – that if they tell, their family may fracture or suffer significant financial strain up to and including homelessness.
In these circumstances, when a child does find the courage to cry out, they often go to someone outside their family for help – a peer, parent of a peer, teacher, coach, family friend. If that person is you, it is important to remember that this may be the only time this child or teen may ever tell anyone. If that person is you, and you aren’t sure what to do with what a child has told you, Child Advocacy is just a phone call away. From identifying signs of sexual abuse, responding to children who have disclosed sexual abuse, to assistance with reporting abuse, we can help.
In the last 12 months, 181 children have visited the CAC for allegations of abuse. These children came from every city, township, and corner of Gratiot County. If you were the trusted adult they came to for help, thank you.
Heather Therrien
CAC Program Director
