Essex mom shares advice to help parents recognize abuse warning signs and protect children. Reporting abuse matters now.
She wants to share her story to help stop abuse from happening again. As a parent, she wants to protect her own child, and as a survivor of child sexual abuse, she wants to protect other children as well. She shared advice for parents, helping them handle this hard subject.
Trust and good communication are most important. Teach kids that trusted adults won’t ask for secrets. If anyone does, kids should tell you ASAP, knowing they won’t get in trouble. You will always believe them, she said.
Kids need to know your love is unconditional. Someone might threaten them if secrets get told, saying parents will stop loving them. She stated that this is a “red flag,” and kids must tell you about such threats.
Parents should do research and learn about abuse, watching for small signs and asking kids questions. Don’t think it can’t happen to your family; sadly, it can happen anywhere, she warned. Rape Crisis says 1 in 6 kids face sexual abuse in England and Wales alone.
She reported her childhood abuse to Essex Police and worked with officers during the pandemic. They eventually charged her abuser with crimes. Now she is relieved justice finally came and thanked Essex Police for their help in bringing the case to court.