Building Healthy Roots

Emotional Support Strategies for Children and Youth Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Why is emotional support a necessary part of the healing process for children and youth who are survivors of sexual abuse?  Emotional support means showing empathy, compassion, and genuine concern for others; this leads to greater emotional well-being. An important aspect of the process is helping children and youth regulate their emotions. Emotional regulation is the process of building and establishing healthy friendships (Hebert, Langevin, & Oussaid, 2018). Having emotional support systems will help them Read more…

By Amanda Lynn Helman, ago
Photo of two teens talking on swings

Ways to Build Healthy Friendships for Children and Youth Survivors of Sexual Abuse

What are Some Roadblocks to Building Healthy Friendships? #1 Safety Children and youth survivors of sexual abuse (CSA) may have trouble feeling emotionally and physically safe enough to trust another person after experiencing abuse (Rosenthal, Feiring, & Taska, 2003). What constitutes safety may be perceived differently for every child based on culture and family background. Here are some components of a sense of safety that are common to most people: Emotionally: Feeling comfortable with your Read more…

By Amanda Lynn Helman, ago
Picture of kids jumping

Understanding Different Types of Responses from Children and Youth who are Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Why is it important to understand the impact of sexual abuse on children and youth? The World Health Organization (WHO) defines childhood sexual abuse as the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully understand.” (WHO, 1999). Childhood sexual abuse may also include indirect harm to a child who either witnessed sexual abuse, or was subjected to comments or gestures with sexual connotations. In any case, childhood sexual abuse Read more…

By Amanda Lynn Helman, ago
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