Surviving Child Sexual Abuse
SURVIVING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Michael V. Merrick, MS, LMSW
Michael Merrick has provided services to children and families for more than 35 years. This includes providing sexual abuse treatment (individual, family, or group therapy) to children between the age of 3 and 18 for more than 29 years. He also has experience in providing child abuse prevention, child protection, child care, and foster care services.
He has presented sexual abuse information to a variety of audiences at the local, state, and national level.
Additionally, Michael is also a current authorized facilitator of the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children program, designed to prevent child sexual abuse.
This web site was created in order to provide information, support, and resources to children and their families who may not otherwise get the help that they are in need of.
INFORMATION
Isolation, secrecy, and vulnerability are three main factors needed for child sexual abuse to occur.
Abuse often occurs in situations in which there is an imbalance of power, knowledge, and resources.
Information and education are keys in order to prevent sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is not an impulsive act. It is a planned and calculated act by the offender.
Children need to be touched, hugged, and nurtured by people they love and trust. Touch is a basic need and is one of our basic senses.
As parents or caregivers of young children, we must ensure that our children are exposed to healthy touches, and give them information and education to protect themselves from those people who would take advantage of our children's vulnerabilities.
.For example, did you know that the offender is someone the child knows more than 90% of the time ?
Do you know ...
What child sexual abuse is ?
What behaviors may indicate a child is being sexually abused ?
What impact does sexual abuse have on children ?
Why is it difficult for children to talk about sexual abuse ?
What do you do if a child discloses sexual abuse to you ?
Click here for answers to these and other questions
VIEW THE FOLLOWING FREE ARTICLES ON HOW YOU CAN HELP AS PARENTS
PARENTING CHILDREN SURVIVING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
by Merrick and Allen
Parents can play an active role in order to minimize the chance that their child will be sexually victimized.
Children need to be empowered, given information, and know available resources when they need help.
VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH POSITIVE TREATMENT OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN SURVIVING SEXUAL ABUSE
by Merrick, Allen, and Crase
The existance of a significant caretaker that is supportive and protective is important in the prognosis of children surviving child sexual abuse.
(Read Letters to a mother who believes their child, and to a mother who does not believe her child.)
You may also want to check out available sexual offender registries in order to further protect your child here.
If You Need Help Now
If you have been or are currently being sexually abused, or if you know of someone who has been sexually abused, please contact the following number:
1-800-4AC-HILD (anywhere)
1-800-THE-LOST (anywhere)
1-800-273-TALK
1-800-SUICIDE
or call 9-1-1 or your local police department
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REMEMBER TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF !!!
My name is M...
by Elisa P. Farmann
I bear an awful secret, it hurts to tell the truth.
I trusted you my mentor, and you robbed me of my youth.
That carefree childhood innocence for me is long since gone.
I will never forget what you did to me, but still I must go on.
To live my life as best I can, a smile my fascade.
How could you look me in the eye and tell me there's a God?
Your illness made you weak inside, it sickens me to know,
how much I begged and pleaded, but you wouldn't let me go.
A nightmare I must live with all my days upon the earth.
To satisfy your lustful urge...is that all I was worth?
The lives destroyed aren't mine alone, this touches everyone.
Family and friends and future love...my unborn daughter or son.
I'm safe in my home, and I'm safe in my bed.
This Mantra repeated again in my head.
It will never be over, it will never be through.
This scar on my life that was put there by you...
(Read another poem or listen to music here)
Read Letters From Children Surviving Sexual Abuse
Check out Affirmations for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Please feel free to email me any comments concerning this website at mandy62657@yahoo.com .
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