In an era where accessing information is merely a few clicks away, resources like “Six Questions To Ask Your Child If You Think They Are Being Sexually Abused” are invaluable. These guides, as recommended by Horowitz Law, serve not just as educational tools for those in dire situations but also as enlightening reads for everyone. Even if you’re convinced that you’ll never be in this awful situation, we also encourage you to share these excellent guides with others with children as a gesture of care and responsibility.
However, there’s an equally significant yet often overlooked conversation that needs attention: the importance of asking our loved ones whether they endured sexual abuse in their childhood. Asking a girl or boy if someone is touching them inappropriately currently in the present is obviously important, but it’s also important that adults be asked the same question about events that could have happened when they were a child. Initiating this dialogue might be a tough but important question to ask your loved ones, given its sensitivity and the potential discomfort it might cause. So, should you ask someone you love if they were abused as a child?” Keep reading.
The Importance of Asking
Why should we broach such a challenging topic, especially when it concerns adults reflecting on their pasts? The reasons are twofold. Firstly, the harsh reality is that many child molesters keep molesting for decades. So, for kids’ safety, it’s valuable when adults speak up about the abusers, no matter how long ago they were abused. Questions like these just might lead to a victim speaking up and a child sex offender being exposed, suspended, sued, or criminally charged (any one of which protects youngsters). Encouraging adults to share their experiences can lead to the exposure and possible legal action against these abusers, safeguarding children today from similar fates.
Secondly, the ramifications of childhood sexual abuse often extend into adulthood, manifesting as nightmares, strained relationships, occupational instability, and even suicidal thoughts. Victims may struggle with addiction and suffer from exceedingly low self-esteem without realizing these adult challenges stem from past traumas. Just because they aren’t aware that their current struggles are rooted in the hurts, betrayals, manipulations, and abuses of their earlier years, that doesn’t mean anyone should ignore the association. By asking adults if they were sexually abused as kids, we’re not just showing concern—we’re opening a door for them to make connections between past and present struggles, potentially guiding them toward healing.
In answer to the question of whether you should ask your now-adult friends, family, and loved ones, ‘Were you ever abused as a youngster?’ we at Horowitz Law emphatically say YES! Your loved one may feel some immediate discomfort. They may instinctively reply, “No! My childhood was great.” If that’s really true, then you’ve done no harm.
But if they were groped, raped, molested, assaulted, or inappropriately groomed or touched as a child, by raising this tough question, you may be doing your friend or relative an enormous favor.
Approaching the Conversation
By broaching the subject, you’re gently nudging your friend, relative, or partner to at least begin entertaining the notion that current adult difficulties might stem from awful things they endured in childhood. That, in turn, can steer a struggling, confused, sometimes frightened, or overwhelmed adult toward a helpful direction. You may not be aware of the inner turmoil or demons affecting your adult friend or loved one now. Abuse survivors often survive, in part, by learning to hide from others – and even from themselves – the pain of their childhood experiences. Many work very hard to ‘put on a good front’ and ‘put their abuse in the rearview mirror.’
But how do we ask such a profound question without causing undue distress? The key is approaching the conversation with caution, sensitivity, and care. Ensure privacy and choose a moment that feels appropriate, acknowledging upfront the difficulty of the topic. If they say yes, don’t prod them for details. Instead:
- Tell them you believe them.
- Assure them you will stand by them.
- Be patient. Most survivors reveal their suffering in small disclosures over time.
- Let them know they’re strong and resilient; otherwise, they mightn’t have survived the ordeal.
- Remind them that while they may feel ashamed, they shouldn’t. Many people are victims of crimes.
- Guarantee them that you’ll respect their privacy and confidentiality.
- Focus on what they want or need now, especially what makes them feel or be safe.
- Above all, be as compassionate as you can be.
Horowitz Law advocates for these conversations, emphasizing their significance despite the initial discomfort they might bring. Engaging in this sensitive dialogue can be a catalyst for healing and recovery. It’s a gesture that signals to your loved ones that their well-being is your priority, and no stone should be left unturned in ensuring they feel safe and supported.
Asking the tough questions is not just about confronting the past; it’s about offering a hand to those who may have been silently suffering and letting them know they’re not alone. You can’t, however, take these compassionate steps and help your loved one UNLESS you first summon the courage to ask the hard question: Did anyone do anything inappropriate, hurtful, or sexual to you when you were a kid?
But definitely do it. Start with sharing these references with others with kids:
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse by religious authority figures and numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists. If you need a lawyer because a member of a religious organization, doctor, professional, or therapist sexually abused you, contact us today at 888-283-9922 or [email protected] to discuss your options today.