How do we protect our community from rape and child abuse?  What are some resources?

Today I had a request for information on how to address rape and child abuse in a community. The community happens to be overseas, but here in the U.S. we have the same problems. The following information is current as far as I know. If there is additonal information that should be included, please add a comment and notify me.

I used to work with Parents Anonymous(PA)http://parentsanonymous.org

to help break the cycle of child abuse in our town. Their U.S. helpline is

1-855-4APARENT(1-855-427-2736)

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Monday through Friday
10:00 AM PST to 7:00 PM PST

When a parent has been abused in childhood, the chances are greater that he or she will be an abuser to their own children.

Why is that? Well, we learn parenting from our parents, mostly.

Sometimes we have to re-parent ourselves by learning to be kinder to oneself when judging oneself. And, very important…learn to deal with one’s own anger.

Since the PA helpline has limited hours it is important for each community to have its own support group with agreements to be available for one another 24 hours a day and exchange telephone numbers. Then when anger threatens to overcome one’s judgement, there is someone to call and talk to in order to calm down and look more realistically at the situation. Because alcohol and drugs sometimes enter the situation, the AA and Al-Anon groups can also serve to help prevent abuse.

PA has increased its scope of service to caregivers who also have great demands for patience and endurance.

Here is another website that may be of use in your concern about child abuse prevention.

http://www.capsofsalina.org/

gives you an idea of what our community has developed to help prevent child abuse.

http://www.capsofsalina.org/parentingclasses.html There I learned about the course
“The Incredible Years Series (Ages 2-8” see http://incredibleyears.com for more information and for their books
“Developed by Carolyn Webster-Stratton, Ph.D., this program is extensively research-based and has been implemented in the USA, as well as many other countries….

“This class will help parents increase positive and nurturing parenting, improve problem-solving skills, anger management, and communication skills and increase involvement in their child’s academic-related activities at home. The goals of this class are to help children strengthen social skills and appropriate play skills (waiting, asking, sharing, helping), boost academic success, reading, and school readiness and increase self-esteem, self- confidence, and positive relationships with their parents.” (from CAPS of Salina, Kansas)

I found some very practical advice from the Sidebar at

http://www.capsofsalina.org/schoolbasedservices.html

Use positive discipline.
Learn to be firm, but fair.

Create a set of rules.
Set rules and consequences that
are appropriate for your child’s age.
Be clear about what is expected –
and what is not OK.

Don’t hit.
Physical discipline teaches fear, not
respect. If you feel angry, take time to
cool off. Then deal with the
misbehavior.

Praise good behavior.
Let your child know you appreciate it
when he or she is well-behaved.

Offer a choice.
This encourages cooperation. For
example, at bedtime ask if he or she
would like you to read a story on the
couch or after being tucked in.

A number of professionals have the legal duty to report suspicion of child abuse to the police and/or social service officers who together investigate the alleged abuse for substantiation and recommendations.

If in danger, the child or children can be removed immediately from the home. Any observer of possible child abuse can also report, anonymously if they wish, to the police or SRS.

Here are some online resources on rape prevention:

http://www.trincoll.edu/cs/SART/Pages/Tips.aspx

https://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-prevention also on protecting children

http://www.wikihow.com/Prevent-a-Potential-Rape
with pictures.

Fortunately women have become braver in reporting rape for prosecution. Locally at one time, a rape team offered support during the necessary examination and collection of evidence usally done at the hospital. I hope that is still the case.

In all these situations, learning to step out of vicious circles, use I messages and feeling words can help.