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ME' spewed forth the following at '2007-03-23 20:52:00'..
ORIGINATED FROM WILDCAT
WildCat~ Founder Of (T.M.A.F)R8-FAN-ADD.
@ CherryTAP
The Symptoms of
Sexual Disturbance Among Children Parents, teachers, and guardians may find it difficult to distinguish between normal and healthy childhood sexual experimentation and sexual deviance resulting from exposure to pornography. The following guidelines, established by mental health and law enforcement officials, are useful in assessing sexual disturbance among children.i These guidelines can also help to identify the symptoms of psychological damage resulting from exposure to sexual material on the Internet.
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> Sexual Preoccupation
> Children who have been harmed by viewing pornography may be excessively curious about or overly preoccupied with sexuality. Some children expose their genitals to others or engage in a sudden, unusually high level of masturbation.
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> Age-Inappropriate Sexualized Behavior
> Some children may display sexual knowledge and behavior beyond that which is appropriate for their age. According to the American Psychiatric Press, this is one of the few reliable and distinguishing characteristics that identify sexually abused children. Very young children may enact adult sexual scenarios and behaviors in their play with other children or with their dolls and stuffed animals.
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Age-Inappropriate Partners
Having learned the message that sexual overtures are acceptable ways to get attention and rewards, children may enter into unhealthy relationships, particularly with older, age-inappropriate partners. Additionally, believing the myth generated by pornography that their bodies are for the use of others, young girls may become promiscuous. Children preoccupied with sex may attempt to engage younger children in sexual behavior because younger and smaller children are easier to manipulate and often more cooperative.
Coercion
Aggressive attempts to undress, sexually touch, or attempt intercourse with others are not uncommon among sexually preoccupied children. When a tendency toward secretive play combines with intense sexual preoccupation, a child may be vulnerable to repeating his or her abuse with other children in ways that can create chaos and further victimization. Such a child requires extensive parental supervision and therapeutic help.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
There are various lists of possible physical and behavioral indicators of child sexual abuse, some of which are:
* Waking up during the night sweating, screaming or shaking with nightmares.
* Masturbating excessively.
* Showing unusually aggressive behavior toward family members, friends, toys, and pets.
* Complaining of pain while urinating or having a bowel movement, or exhibiting symptoms of genital infections such as offensive odors, or symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease.
* Having symptoms indicating evidence of physical traumas to the genital or anal area.
* Beginning wetting the bed.
* Experiencing a loss of appetite or other eating problems, including unexplained gagging.
* Showing unusual fear of a certain place or location.
* Developing frequent unexplained health problems.
* Engaging in persistent sexual play with friends, toys or pets.
* Having unexplained periods of panic, which may be flashbacks from the abuse.
* Regressing to behaviors too young for the stage of development they already achieved.
* Initiating sophisticated sexual behaviors.
* Indicating a sudden reluctance to be alone with a certain person.
* Engaging in self-mutilations, such as sticking themselves with pins or cutting themselves.
* Withdrawing from previously enjoyable activities, like school or school performance change.
* Asking an unusual amount of questions about human sexuality.
(By Kathy Smedley, Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage, Family Therapist, and Program Director for the Northeast Texas Children's Advocacy Center.)
Warning Signs
by Donna Rice Hughes
Warning Signs
by Donna Rice Hughes
Here are a few warnings signs that your child may have a problem with pornography on the Internet.
* Your child is hiding disks.
* Your child spends an inordinate amount of time on the Internet or is online late into the night.
* Your child uses computer files that end in .gif or .jpg. These are picture files that may contain the latest Hubble telescope photos or pornographic material.
* You discover unusual charges on your credit card statements. Be especially suspicious of phone charges that identify themselves as "Web Site." Many pornographers don't provide their names to avoid raising parental concern.
* Your child quickly changes the computer screen when you enter the room.
* You notice changes in your child's behavior (mention of adults you don't know, secretiveness, inappropriate sexual knowledge, sleeping problems, etc.).
Specific Questions to Ask
Your Kids When You Suspect
Online Sexual Exploitation
by Donna Rice Hughes
Even if you use preventative tools such as an Internet filter at home, remember to ask your children these questions, especially if they are using the Internet outside of your home.
* Have you seen any pornographic pictures?
* Has anyone online talked dirty to you?
* Have you met anyone online whom you don't know?
* Has anyone asked you for personal information?
* Has anyone asked to meet you in person?
Helping Children Deal with
the Trauma of Sexual Exploitation
The best way to reduce the suffering of a child traumatized by pornography or sexual predators on the Internet (or by any other medium) is prevention. If your child tells you that he or she has seen or read something on the Internet of a sexual nature or has had contact with a sexual predator and appears to be experiencing some trauma from that experience, talk with your child about it and, if necessary, seek professional help. Identifying, and sometimes discussing, the signs and symptoms of psychological damage is a first step to relieving the child's suffering. Try to provide opportunities to talk about feelings. When hearing and accepting a child's feelings are too difficult, therapy involving the child and the family is often necessary. The following, is a recommended strategy if you think your child has been abused, traumatized, or sexually exploited while on the Internet:
* Believe your child! Children rarely lie about sexual abuse or trauma.
* Commend your child for telling you about his or her experience.
* Convey your support for your child. Your child may fear that he or she is at fault and responsible for viewing the pornography or interacting with a sexual predator. Try to alleviate this self-blame.
* Temper your own reaction. Recognize that your response sends a critical message to your child. Your greatest challenge may be to not convey your own horror.
* Report the suspected illegal online activity to your local police. In some communities the local police department is equipped to investigate computer crimes, such as online solicitation of a minor. Also report such incidences to the CyberTipline: 800-843-5678
www.missingkids.com
# Locate a specialized agency that evaluates sexual abuse or trauma victims - a hospital, a community mental health therapy group, or a child advocate agency.
# If your child has been physically abused as a result of contact with an online predator, contact a physician with experience and training in detecting sexual abuse.
# Talk with your child's teachers, baby-sitters, other parents, and adults who have supervised your child online.
WILDCAT & HENNING
