Help! My child has been sexually abused.

If you have to walk through the nightmare of finding out that one of your children has been sexually abused, the desire to want to help them can be overwhelming. Studies show that when a mom emotionally supports the child, the child’s outcome is more likely to be positive.

What does it mean to be “emotionally supportive”?

• Tell your child, “I believe you.”

• Let them know that you will help them, and they are safe.

• Tell your child, “This was not your fault.”

• Do NOT change that narrative.

One of the saddest things I see when an adult is working through the issues that come with childhood sexual abuse is the parent or family abandoning them and betraying them when they believe the perpetrator over the victim. I understand that it is horrifying to think that something of that nature could happen to a child, but remember that the child was horrified.

It is reasonable not to want to believe it, but you must realize that you are adding crushing blows to the child when you do not support them. Your response will bring goodness or bleak difficulty, so be very careful. Get help from a professional counselor. Don’t stop with a well-meaning leader who wants to handle this issue themselves.

We have all been horrified by the revelation of the church and pastors covering up sexual abuse.

If the perpetrator in any way is asking for time with the child, to be forgiven so that the prior roles can be maintained, or is launching assaults on our government when they are incarcerated for this crime, THEN THEY ARE NOT SAFE. True repentance would be submitting to the government's authority and protecting the child or other children from themselves.

Families like the Duggars and churches that cover up sexual assault have helped pedophilia to continue. No one wins when institutions do not follow the law and report childhood abuse.

Help stop this! Support the weak, the child.