When there is a publicized incident of child sexual abuse of any kind the entire community often experiences anxiety, fear and anger.
Like many other communities, Waltham has again been confronted with the reality that a trusted community member has been charged with sexually exploiting children. Many times people feel that there is nothing to be done, that this problem is intractable. This is not true. We are writing to encourage members of the community to take an active role in child sexual abuse prevention. Like all issues of health and safety, we need to do this on an ongoing basis, not just in moments of crisis. Waltham residents can take concrete steps to protect children from sexual abuse.
1. Ensure your elementary school has the Child Assault Prevention program. This effective curriculum used locally for years in Newton teaches elementary age children simple strategies to reduce their vulnerability to verbal, physical and sexual assault and violence. Parents and teachers learn to support the role of responsible adults in preventing and responding to abuse. For more information about CAP and how to introduce it to your schools, call Newton Community Service Center, 617 969-5906, Ext. 143.
2. Ensure that the middle and high schools have comprehensive health education. Quality health education should be available to all students and include information on healthy sexuality, healthy relationships, and community resources so youth can find help if experiencing sexual violence. Waltham parents are already active in the statewide campaign for health education, and others can join them through CARE for Youth, 617-629-8624 or www.careforyouthma.org/.
3. Children and teens with sexual behavior problems need to be identified early. Forty percent of child sexual abuse is committed by minors. Early intervention can be extremely successful in preventing future sexually abusive behaviors. Trained professionals who provide specialized assessment and treatment can be found at www.masoc.net.
4. Adults can learn strategies for prevention. Interactive trainings are available for parent and professional groups to help adults effectively communicate about sexual behavior and sexual abuse and learn strategies to protect children. Training descriptions can be found at http://www.enoughabuse.org/n_training.html, and residents can call Newton Community Service Center at 617-969-5906, Ext. 143, to discuss their training needs.
5. Report suspicions of abuse. If you suspect a child is at risk for abuse, exploitation, and/or neglect, anyone can call the MA Child-At-Risk Hotline, 1-800-792-5200. If you are concerned that someone you know may be at risk for being abusive to others, resources are available at www.stopitnow.org or 1-888-PREVENT.
6. Reach out for support for yourself or someone you know who has been victimized. Comprehensive information, counseling, and referral is available for anyone ages 12 and up from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center's 24-hour hotline 1-800-841-8371, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Resources and training are available. Together, our community can channel our understandable anxiety, fear and anger about child sexual exploitation into positive change, healing and prevention.
Gail Sommer is director of Community Support and Prevention at Newton Community Service Center; Marci Diamond is director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Gina Scaramella, executive director of Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, and Anne Douglass, Enough Abuse Campaign consultant, contributed to this column.
