| Gonzales Regional Children's Advocacy Center |
| Serving Gonzales and Lavaca Counties |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 1604 St. Paul St., Gonzales, Tx 78629 Phone 830-672-1278 |
| PROUD MEMBERS OF: |
| A 501 (C) (3) Tax exempt organization |
| . |
| OUR MISSION To restore the dignity, hope and security to children of Gonzales, Lavaca and surrounding counties by uniting public officials and our community. |
| Comments You May Hear From Others About The Abuse |
Remember, you don’t owe anyone an explanation.
“I’d rather not talk about it.” Is an acceptable response. Or simply say “It’s been a very difficult time for us all.” “I
appreciate your concern” is another response you might want to use. Or it may be easier to just nod as an
acknowledgement of what someone says.
Keep in mind that most people have very little knowledge about sexual abuse. For example, in response to the
comment about your child feeling guilty, you could say that children always feel unnecessary guilt in these cases
until they are assured that they are not responsible in any way for what happened.
As a parent, you might also be experiencing some guilt, and as a result, you may feel defensive. In that case, a
good response is “Parents do their best but we’re only human.”
Adults are the people most likely to say something to your child. You may want to tell your child that if someone
says “I’m sorry about what happened to you” he/she should respond with a simple “Thank you.”
Let your child know that he/she does not have to respond to any comments or questions. He or she could say
“My mom and/or Dad told me not to talk about it now.”
If other children comment or tease, your child might say “It could happen to anyone…including you.”
Reference: When Your Child Has Been Molested, by Kathryn B Hagans & Joyce Case
“I’d rather not talk about it.” Is an acceptable response. Or simply say “It’s been a very difficult time for us all.” “I
appreciate your concern” is another response you might want to use. Or it may be easier to just nod as an
acknowledgement of what someone says.
Keep in mind that most people have very little knowledge about sexual abuse. For example, in response to the
comment about your child feeling guilty, you could say that children always feel unnecessary guilt in these cases
until they are assured that they are not responsible in any way for what happened.
As a parent, you might also be experiencing some guilt, and as a result, you may feel defensive. In that case, a
good response is “Parents do their best but we’re only human.”
Adults are the people most likely to say something to your child. You may want to tell your child that if someone
says “I’m sorry about what happened to you” he/she should respond with a simple “Thank you.”
Let your child know that he/she does not have to respond to any comments or questions. He or she could say
“My mom and/or Dad told me not to talk about it now.”
If other children comment or tease, your child might say “It could happen to anyone…including you.”
Reference: When Your Child Has Been Molested, by Kathryn B Hagans & Joyce Case
| “What exactly did he do to your child?” “Are you sure your child didn’t make it up?” “Why didn’t you know it was happening?” “If it were my child, I’d just move away.” “Your poor child must be feeling really guilty.” |