Reading Resources

After a child discloses sexual abuse, caregivers may have many questions about what happens next. Here is a list of books that can be helpful to a family where a child is a victim of sexual abuse. It is important to keep in mind that books should be used with therapy and not in place of counseling services. Remember to read each book before sharing it with children!

For Children

My Body Is Private by Linda Walvoord Girard

Telling Isn't Tattling by Kathryn M. Hammerseng

Your Body Belongs to You by Cornelia Spelman

Those Are My Private Parts by Diane Hansen (for young children)

Tears of Joy by Barbara Behm (ages 4 and up)

For Teenagers

It Happened To Me: A Teen's Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse (workbook) by William Lee Carter

We Are Not Alone: A Teenage Boy's Personal Account of Child Sexual Abuse from Disclosure Through Prosecution & Treatment by Jade C. Angelica

We Are Not Alone: A Teenage Girl's Personal Account of Child Sexual Abuse from Disclosure Through Prosecution & Treatment by Jade C. Angelica

Invisible Girls: The Truth About Sexual Abuse by Dr. Patti Feuersteisen

For Parents/Caregivers

Children Changed by Trauma: A Healing Guide by Debra Alexander

When Your Child Has Been Molested: A Parent's Guide to Healing & Recovery by Kathryn Brohl

Healing the Harm Done: A Parent's Guide to Helping Your Child Overcome the Effects of Sexual Abuse by Jennifer Levy-Peck

For Adult Survivors of Abuse

Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide to Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Wendy Maltz

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

The Courage to Heal Workbook by Laura Davis

Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew

For Special Populations

No Secrets No Lies: How Black Families Can Heal From Sexual Abuse  by Robin Stone

I Will Survive: The African American Guide to Healing From Sexual Assaults and Abuse by Lori Robinson

I Can Be Safe! by the Abused Deaf Women's Advocacy Services

Cyberbullying: What It Is and How to Protect Your Children

The internet has brought along many conveniences. Shopping, searching and being social have all become accessible with the click of an icon. Unfortunately, the convenience of connection has led to the development of something that negatively affects 1 in 3 children: cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying is done online or through cell phones. Like its counterpart and predecessor, bullying, it involves humiliating, harassing and terrorizing the intended target. Parents should be aware of the impact cyberbullying may have on their child. It can cause low self esteem and can lead to a deterioration of their self confidence. Cyberbullies are not able to sense how hurtful their actions are because they are unable to witness the reactions of their victims, so they tend to torment further than other forms of bullying.

Some ways to protect your children include:

• Block communication from cyberbullies and delete messages before reading them
• Never post or share personal information online
• Never share their internet passwords with someone (other than a caregiver)
• Never put anything online through email or text that you wouldn’t want someone you don’t trust seeing
• Do not send messages or post anything online when they are upset

For more information on how to prevent cyberbullying or how to tell if this is affecting your family, visit here and here.

If you or someone you know feels suicidal as a result of cyberbullying, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

2012 NCA Report is IN!

The National Children’s Alliance annual report for 2012 was recently released! Not only has NCA expanded CAC development in underserved areas, but there has also been an increase in community awareness and advocacy!

The National Children’s Alliance is an organization that advocates and helps communities in providing a multi-disciplinary approach and comprehensive response to victims of child abuse. Today, there are 775 Children’s Advocacy Centers and 47 State Chapters throughout the country! The 2012 report states that “15 states have 100 percent service coverage and 2/3 of all counties have access to Children’s Advocacy Centers.”

According to the 2012 report, the number of children served by Children’s Advocacy Centers across the country has increased by 175% since 2000.

2012 NCA Statistics

• 65% of the total number of children served last year were sexual abuse victims
• 39% were not old enough to attend kindergarten
• 96% knew their perpetrator
•  39%  were 0-6 years old
• 36% were 7-12 years old
• 25% were 13-18 years old
• 63% were females
• 37% were males
• 40% were abused by a parent or parent’s significant other

NCA, through supporting Children’s Advocacy Centers, is helping communities stand up for children.

For more information on the 2012 National Children’s Alliance Annual Report, click here.

Advance the Dream for Children!

Today, 50 years after the March on Washington, we are given the opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made as a society. Since 1963, we have made strides towards what is in the best interest of our children in the following ways:

· (1973) Marian Wright Edelman founds the Children's Defense Fund, a leading national organization that lobbies for children's rights and welfare.

· (1974) The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act is passed, creating the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.

· (1975) National Network for Youth- Founded as the only national membership organization focused solely on the needs of homeless, runaway and disconnected youth.

· (Late 1970s) The rise of the feminist movement launches "previously hidden and taboo issues," including child sex abuse and incest, onto the national stage.

· (1981) Seven years after its establishment by Congress, the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect publishes its first study on the incidence of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse.

· (1982) The Supreme Court considers the issue of child pornography for the first time in Ferber v. New York.

· (1987) The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children is founded.

· (1990) The Supreme Court allows victims of child sex abuse to testify in court through one-way closed circuit video. This decision makes it easier for childhood victims to testify while avoiding the personal trauma of having to directly face their abusers.

· (1993) Congress passes the National Child Protection Act.

· (1997) Congress passes the Adoption and Safe Families Act, which for the first time requires criminal background checks of any prospective foster or adoptive parent who is receiving federal assistance.

· (1999) The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act details what a website operator must include in a privacy policy, when and how to seek verifiable consent from a parent or guardian, and what responsibilities an operator has to protect children's privacy and safety online including restrictions on marketing to those under 13.

· (2005) The National Sex Offender Public Registry launches.

· (2008) Stop Child Abuse in Residential Programs for Teens Act of 2008- The act would require certain standards and enforcement provisions to prevent child abuse and neglect in residential programs, and for other purposes.

How will you continue to “advance the dream” for our children?

New Law: Who is a mandated reporter for child abuse?

A mandated reporter is anyone who frequently works with children. These professionals can include coaches, clergy, educational professionals, as well as social workers. The new law, which came into effect August 1^st, states that these individuals are mandated reporters even when they are not serving in their profession.

Although occupation is an indicator of whether or not one is a mandated reporter, there are specific times when everyone is required by law to act in this capacity. These times include when an adult witnesses the sexual abuse of a child, and when any person knows of a homicide, rape or sexual abuse of a child. Because it is a legal obligation, is it important to report, even if the adult is not completely sure that the child is experiencing sexual or physical abuse.

In order to report abuse of a child by their caregiver, call 855-4LAKIDS. If the alleged offender is not the child’s caregiver, then it is important to contact the local non-emergency law enforcement number. Within five days of giving an oral report, a written report must be made and submitted via fax.

Failure to report can result in imprisonment, fines or both. It is better to report, even if unsure, then to not report at all. Reporting in good faith will protect the identity of the reporter, and will also protect them from any civic or criminal liability.

For more information on mandated reporters and for a full training from the Department of Children and Family Services, click here!!

Abusive Head Trauma/Shaken Baby Syndrom

Last Thursday, Dr. Neha Mehta gave a presentation on Abusive Head Trauma to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team. Dr. Mehta, who is the medical director of the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center, Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, presented to members of Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Gretna Police Department, Department of Children and Family Services and the District Attorney’s office. The presentation was designed to help the audience understand what Abusive Head Trauma is, how to investigate abusive head trauma and what the role of the clinical pediatrician is.

Abusive Head Trauma, also known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, occurs when a caregiver shakes, or otherwise physically abuses a baby out of frustration. Abusive Head Trauma diagnosis relies heavily on whether or not the provided history is consistent with the type of injury a baby has, and whether or not the injury was the result of an accident.

Because the injuries resulting from Abusive Head Trauma can be subtle, it is important to be aware of the signs. For example, there is no such thing as a “killer couch.” If a child is brought to a doctor with bruising or injury in places such as the genitals or trunk and the caregiver says that the infant “fell off a couch,” there is cause for speculation. Typically, if a child is too young to “cruise,” then they are too young to “bruise.”

Thanks so much to Dr. Mehta for her presentation!

For more information on AHT/SBS, click here!

$5,000 Awarded to the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center

Jefferson Parish Council Awards $5,000 to the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center

From left to right (Wayne Zimmerman, JCAC Board President; Omalee Gordon, JCAC Board Secretary; Yvonne James, JCAC Office Manager; Brittney Bergeron, JCAC Forensic Interviewer; Erika Dupepe, JCAC Executive Director; Ashley Sturz, JCAC AmeriCorps VISTA; Mark Spears, Councilman and JCAC Advisory Board Member; Gail Pesses, JCAC Board Vice President; Chris Trosclair, JCAC Board Treasurer)

The Jefferson CAC would like to express its deepest appreciation to the entire Jefferson Parish Council, and Councilmember/Advisory Board Member Mark Spears, for the recent resolution award of $5000!  Thanks to their support of our organization and work we do, this money will be used to assist us in continuing to provide the best services possible for Jefferson Parish’s children.