When a child is sexually abused, there are many ramifications not only for the child but also for family members, friends and peers.

One of those ramifications is called Problematic Sexual Behavior (PSB), said Kayla Bailey, child advocacy program director at the Family Crisis Center (FCC). Bailey is sharing information about PSB and other issues, while planning activities for April, in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“Oftentimes, children who have been sexually abused will act out, usually with a peer,” Bailey said. “There is specialized PSB therapy but we have to refer families to out-of-town entities, usually in Hutchinson, because there are not enough therapists trained in this discipline.

“The good news is when a child participates in this therapy, 98 percent do not re-offend. We encourage local and area therapists to consider adding PSB to their list of services.”

The state chapter of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas, along with the FCC, can assist with the cost of training, which is offered by The University of Oklahoma.

Child Advocacy Center

The FCC’s Child Advocacy Center (CAC) offers “a child-friendly atmosphere that provides a safe and comfortable place for your child to talk about their abuse,” Bailey said. “This can reduce the number of times your child will have to talk about what happened. We want to avoid re-traumatization in any way we can.”

Bailey, a trained forensic interviewer, “talks with children about difficult subjects. I take into account your child’s emotional needs and developmental level as I speak to them in a child-friendly manner.”

Prior to the forensic interview, it is important to explain to children that they will talk with someone about the abuse.

“Children are most comfortable when they have been informed about what to expect,” Bailey noted. “However, you should not tell your child what to say; you should just encourage them to tell the truth. Some children may need to be reassured that they have done nothing wrong.”

In most cases, parents want to seek criminal charges against the person who abused their child.

“They naturally want justice for their child. Nevertheless, when it is time for the child to testify on the witness stand, many parents want to drop the case. They don’t want to put their child through added trauma.

“We understand this. But we want everyone to know that a child advocate will be at the family’s side every step of the way. Every family has an FCC advocate who walks them through the whole process.”

Bailey also noted that prevention is key in the fight against child abuse. The CAC provides presentations, materials and resources to help families, schools and community groups. “The goal is to ensure every child is educated in personal safety and given the opportunity to use their voices,” Bailey commented.

Activities

The FCC will blanket the community with educational and entertaining events that focus on sexual assault and child-abuse prevention. They include:

• Wear the color teal on April 7.

• The “What Were You Wearing” exhibit displays replicas of clothing that survivors wore when assaulted. It demonstrates that it does NOT matter what a person is wearing; an assault can happen any time.

• The 5K Run & Zoo Fun are set for April 11. Check-in for the run is 6:30 a.m. at Brit Spaugh Zoo, with the race starting at 7 a.m.; cost is $35 and a t-shirt is included. The Child Abuse Prevention event is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with free admission, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and raffles and prizes.

• Local tea vendors will have teal and blue teas available.

• On April 20, Nick Taylor will lead a free women’s jiu jitsu self-defense class from 6 to 8 p.m. at Central Kansas Dream Center, 2100 Broadway. FCC provides childcare and the 5 p.m. dinner at no cost. 

• Rhythm and Brews, 1210 Main, will host Rock Against Rape/Music Bingo from 7 to 9:30 p.m. April 14 and 28. Cost to play is $25; prizes are awarded.

• April 29 is Denim Day when business owners are asked to allow employees to wear jeans and donate a personal-hygiene item to survivors in the FCC shelter.

• The Traveling photo booth is available as a community-involvement project.

• The FCC’s School and Community Advocate will meet with School Resource Officers and invite students to complete pledge cards affirming their commitment to stand in solidarity with sexual-assault survivors and help their school be a safe place for everyone.

• The Battle of the Badge is available throughout the FCC’s service territory. For example, Stafford County is hosting a friendly tug-of-war tournament between first responders, while collecting hygiene items for the shelter from competitors and spectators. Other counties can host their own events, while competing for collecting the most hygiene items.

The FCC, 1924 Broadway in Great Bend, serves 10 counties: Barton, Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford.