Children are the collective responsibility of each one of us. Their physical and psychological safety is not only the parent's but the entire society's obligation. Unfortunately, in some cases, children are exploited by the very people they trust the most.
One of the most severe forms of violence is sexual abuse against a child, which is often hidden, unrecognized, or met with silence. This leaves deep scars on a child's emotional and psychological health.
This does not only apply to girls.
Sexual abuse against a child can target any child, regardless of gender or age, not just girls. Gender, age, family situation, and social environment are none of them sufficient to fully protect a child.
How to recognize the signs?
A child subjected to violence does not always express it verbally. However, body language and behavioral changes can say a lot:
Withdrawal, self-isolation
Night terrors, nightmares
Avoidance of physical touch
Pain or discomfort in the genital area
Age-inappropriate behaviors or sexually explicit words
Strong fear or submissiveness towards certain adults.
These signs can also be related to different causes, but they should not be ignored; they must be carefully investigated.
Is silence not consent?
Children subjected to sexual abuse often cannot speak:
They are ashamed, afraid, feel guilty, or simply fear that no one will believe them. The most dangerous aspect is the adults' stance of “we suspected, but we didn't interfere.”
It is important to approach this topic not only from a legal but also from a psychological and human perspective. If a child is broken inside once, this wound may not heal for years.
A call to parents and society!
Give your children the right to speak and a sense of security
Do not suppress their instinctive signals with phrases like “It's shameful,” “be quiet,” “don't talk.”
If you notice changes in their behavior or feel concern, consult a specialist without delay.
Everything begins not with looking, but with seeing
Child abuse is not just a legal issue, but a moral and social responsibility. As long as we remain silent, these cases continue. The duty of every adult, as a citizen and a human being, is to see, protect, and intervene.
Let's not forget: if a child doesn't speak, it doesn't mean nothing is happening.
Sometimes the greatest danger is silence.
Səbinə İsmayılova - psychologist-victimologist-mediator