Sexual Abuse & Behavior Supports

Sexual abuse and reactive behaviors can be taboo, uncomfortable topics for us to talk about. But we must in order to support kids. Children who have experienced unhealthy, traumatic body experiences need unflinching support from adults to learn and practice safe, respectful body boundaries. Most of all, they need us to reiterate that being abused was never their fault, that their behaviors don't define them, and they can change, grow and heal. Please reference our Attachment, Bullying, Children, Youth & Porn, Sensory Supports, Technology & Kids and Trauma pages for more resources.

"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." ~Carl Jung, psychologist

Websites

Oregon Child Abuse Solutions - find the local Child Advocacy Center serving your county from a list of approximately 20!
Child Help National Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) - serving the U.S. and Canada 24/7
- Resources for Kids and Resources for Parents
Amaze - healthy sex education
- for younger kids
Child Welfare Information Gateway - organizations providing child sexual abuse information
Committee for Children - Hot Chocolate Talks
Darkness to Light
Higher Ground Counseling - Portland-based but can work with families statewide if they can travel periodically; works with all family members!
Joshua Center on Child Sexual Abuse Protection - at University of Washington
The Lighthouse - Child Sexual Abuse Exploitation - UK-based with many resources
National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth (NCSBY)
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)
Stop It Now - UK-based with many resources

Recommended Books & Articles

Sexual Abuse, Education & Behavior-related Materials in ORPARC's library, including Sexual Abuse-related and Sexual Behaviors information packets and Sexual Abuse and Behavior trainings by Rob Tucker, and Clarification & Reunification: Guidebook for Working with Youth & Families Impacted by Sexual Abuse by Keith Ovelmen, kindly donated by our friends at Higher Ground Counseling.

Addressing Youth With Problematic Sexual Behaviors by National Children's Alliance - downloadable factsheets and more
Amaze - age appropriate sex education videos, articles & more
Caring for Kids: What Parents Need to Know about Sexual Abuse by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
Child Sexual Abuse Facts & Resources by The Children's Assessment Center
Common Sexual Behaviors by Children's Advocacy Center - by age
Foster or Adoptive Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused by Healthy Children
- en espanol
Fostering the Sexually Abused Child by Fostering Perspectives
Helping a Child Heal From Sexual Abuse by Creating a Family - many articles & more!
Helping Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused by Fostering Perspectives
How to Support Victims of Child Sexual Abuse by MOSCA
Jigsaw Puzzle Child by Eileen Mayers Pasztor, DSW
Parenting a Child or Youth Who Has Been Sexually Abused by Child Welfare Information Gateway
- ¡Recursos disponibles en español
Parenting Children or Youth Who are Sexually Reactive by Monica Cohu for NACAC
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse by the CDC
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Resources by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Recommended Resources by The Children's Center and en español - many books, articles, etc.
Relationships & Sexuality: How to Support Youth in Foster Care and Adoption by NACAC
Selected Readings List by Liberty House, Salem
Sexual Abuse-related Factsheets by Berry Street
- Rob Tucker international trainings with Berry Street
Sliver of Sky by Barry Lopez, survivor - a painful but enlightening memoir
Talking With Children 0-11 Years About Sexual Abuse by Raising Children, AU - many other short articles on related conversations & resources
Teaching Body Safety Rules by The Children's Center
Therapeutic Interventions with Sexually Abused Children and Families by C.A.S.E.
Understanding & Coping with Sexual Behavior Problems in Children by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Culturally specific

11 Cultural Factors That May Contribute to Child Abuse in Asian Families by The Hopeful Panda
Breaking the silence around the childhood sexual abuse of Black men by Lisa R. Rhodes
Darkness to Light
- Child Sexual Abuse & Advocating in Hispanic Communities by Perla Freed
- A Hispanic Perspective on Abuse by Sylvia Goalen
- Stigma & Child Sex Abuse in Black Communities with Ashley David & Kevin McNeil (podcast)
Facts About Sexual Abuse in the African American Community by Natasha Tracy
It's Time to Address the Sexual Abuse of Latino Boys by Ricardo Rene Gonzalez
Parental Love & Abuse in the Asian Community by Sam Louie MA, LMHC, CSAT
Restoring the Sacred Circle - A Toolkit for American Indian & Alaskan Native Tribes and Honoring Children, Respectful Ways by NCSBY
Sexual abuse of South Asian children: what social workers need to know by Vanisha Jassal

Videos & Podcasts

Fight Sex Abuse - animated videos for kids
- Sexual Abuse in the Family, Don't Let Pressure End Up as Sexual Abuse, Online Sexual Abuse Can Happen and many more!
Finding Courage to Talk About Sexual Abuse by Jill Tolles, TedTalk
Healing From Sexual Abuse Can Start with One Word by Rena Romano, TedTalk
I'm Taking My Body Back by Rupi Kaur, TedTalk
Safer Talk Webinars by Safer Society Press - many free webinars for professionals or parents
Steps Towards Change: Replacing Trauma Bond with Healing Relationships by Child Welfare Information Gateway (webinar)
Stop the Secret Hurts by Terres des Hommes- animated video series for kids
Talking About Sex with Sexually Reactive Children & Teens with Tara Spears on Shame Proof Parenting Podcast - plus short article
Therapeutic Activity for Children & Sexual Abuse by Kimberly Peterson, MA, LPC - uses the book Cory Helps Kids Cope available in ORPARC's library!
Tom's Secret by ARCCI - animated video for kids
Understanding Childhood Trauma and Abuse by Tanya Waymire, TedTalk - inspiring talk for survivors

Featured Favorites

Jun the Octopus by Ekkers is a gorgeous book that traveled to our library all the way from our generous friends at Singapore Children's Society. Thank you!

Introduction to Sexual Behaviors in Children: Part 1, 2 & 3 by Robert Tucker (video)

Tackling Touchy Subjects by Paris Goodyear-Brown

Clarification & Reunification: Guidebook for Working with Youth & Families Impacted by Sexual Abuse by Keith Ovelmen, kindly donated by our friends at Higher Ground Counseling.

My Voice Is My Super Power by Shariea Shoatz

Teach Your Dragon Body Safety: A Story About Personal Boundaries, Appropriate and Inappropriate Touching by Steve Herman

If You Touch, I'll Tell by Shamina Aubuchon

Sofia's Promise by Jillian Short

Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids by Kristen A Jenson & en español