The news about the sex scandal at Penn State is truly disgusting.
No one went “the whole nine yards” to protect the children …this is not forgivable …it is a lack of what is morally right.
We tell our children that “if a touch feels wrong it is wrong”…I told this to my own kids. Even tickling can be wrong if it feels bad to a child.
Kids trust us as parents to protect them…when we fail they feel abandoned and confused as to why mom or dad did not rescue them.
In the case at Penn State…these kids trusted the coaches and teachers to be their parents when their own parents were not present and what did they do …well I don’t even want to repeat it here.
I think to really appreciate the significance of such an “injury” to a child you have to put yourself in that child’s place…it’s called empathy. You have to dig up your own childhood innocence. You have to remember your mom, your nana, your dad, your siblings, your teachers, anyone who you trusted.
Then you have to picture them violating you and taking away your innocence forever.
Teach your children to tell you if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable.
Teach them about their own bodies and answer their questions with age appropriate responses.
As a social worker, I have seen my share of child abuse…they are most times victims of people they trust.
So sadly, we have to be aware and sensitive to our children’s environment and we must take time to talk to our children and listen to them. Get off the phone, get away from media, and actually observe and listen to your kids.
Do not focus too much on “Stranger Danger” give kids the warnings associated with this.
Parents, keep your eyes wide-open around those you trust, teachers, babysitters, friends, boyfriends, and even relatives.
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