Information for Parents of Child Sexual Assault Victims Most
people readily agree that sexual abuse is not okay. Yet it is an
unacceptable word that has long been surrounded by myth. Sexual
abuse is a subject that carries with it much fear, unhappiness,
shame and, most of all, SILENCE. Understanding that this
crippling, pervasive silence must be broken is vital. Sex is not
the issue in a sexually abusive relationship. The myths and/or
inadequate information regarding non-offending parents may be
common, but they are false - non-offending parents are not
responsible! The myth that children can be seductive or
provocative is also untrue. Children do have sexual feelings
appropriate to their developmental stage. They seek out
attention and affection from adults, but it is the adult who
determines the sexual nature of the encounter and bears
responsibility for it - not the child! Children do not usually
make up lies about sexual abuse. Contrary to popular belief,
sexual abuse is not a rare occurrence nor is it co