Sometimes a kid tells a friend that they are being sexually abused. We think that’s GREAT. We want kids to tell, we don’t want kids to keep quiet about what happened to them. But— it is really important to tell an adult too so the adult can help get the abuse STOPPED.
If a friend tells you that they are being sexually abused—that a grown up has touched them, or made the kid touch the adult or watch porn or any of the other things we listed as sexual abuse we want to help YOU --help THEM.
First, ask your friend to come read our website pages for kids. Maybe you can read them together. Then talk to them about needing to tell an adult. Lots of kids are scared to tell a grownup what is happening to them. They are afraid what the grownup will say, or afraid that the person abusing them might hurt them or their family. Maybe they are just embarrassed to talk about it. Or they think it was their fault. It isn’t their fault and they should NOT be ashamed or embarrassed.
If you really want to help your friend, please try to help them understand that they need to choose an adult who will believe them and who will do something to stop the abuse.
Help your friend think about the adults they trust. Would their mom believe them and help? If they don’t think so, what about YOUR mom? Or maybe a teacher or guidance counselor at school? And if they need someone to talk to about it, you guys can call our friends at the ChildHelp Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHLD. Or if they are in danger, call 911.
Help your friend get the abuse stopped: HELP THEM TELL AN ADULT. Thanks. You’re a good friend!
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