Child sexual abuse

Aboriginal Nurse, The, 2002

There are some people

Who'll say

Don't cry, cause

That was yesterday

There are others

Who'll question if it's true

But don't worry, darling

I believe in you.

Be sure to read Part 1 before working on this unit. See these other units for more issues related to child sexual abuse:

Unit 1 - Parenting

Unit 2 - Educating Children and Youth About Sexuality

Unit 11 - The Residential School Experience

Unit 15 - Family Violence

Unit 16 - Sexual Violence

Introduction

There are some people

Who'll say

Don't cry, cause

That was yesterday

There are others

Who'll question if it's true

But don't worry, darling

I believe in you.1

Children look to the adults in their families and communities for protection and direction in life. When the community works together to create a safe environment, its children can grow into confident and healthy adults. Unfortunately, too many of our children are growing up in communities where they are sexually abused by people they know and trust.

Child sexual abuse has serious effects on the health and well-being of children, families, communities and nations. Children who are abused are filled with shame and often guilt, anger and a sense of betrayal. Research shows us that too often abuse in childhood can lead to a lack of self-respect and selfcaring, alcohol and drug addictions, and violence toward others. Some survivors of abuse go on to abuse others. Families suffer from the secrecy, lack of trust, and the guilt and shame of sexual abuse. Communities are weakened by the fear and pain of their members.

Sexual abuse has a big impact on sexuality and sexual health. The majority of Aboriginal sex trade workers were sexually abused in childhood. There is other evidence that the emotional effects of sexual abuse can lead to serious health problems later in life. Young girls who were sexually abused are more likely to have many sexual partners, get sexually transmitted diseases and run an increased risk of cervical cancer as adults.2

Some of us see sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities as a sign of the imbalance and overall ill health experienced by Aboriginal people, resulting in part from our loss of culture and autonomy and the effects of residential schools on survivors and their families. As we rebuild our families, communities and nations, we must reject all forms of sexual abuse and violence, and return to honour and respect for all. As Aboriginal communities, we can protect our children and put survivors and abusers on the path to healing by raising awareness about child sexual abuse, helping kids disclose abuse by ensuring they and their families will get help, developing treatment programs and holding abusers accountable for their actions.

Childhood Memories

I was once a young child, although I find it very hard to remember the time. When I look back it seems that I grew up so quickly. The fears that I had were plenty. The stories that my friends tell me of their childhood and growing up years I cannot relate to. It's strange, oh so strange, because neither can they. Although we are of the same age, our experiences are so different. They tell me it's hard for them to accept mine, but as assure them, it is not as difficult as it is for me to accept it.

I've been asked many times, since my growing up years, what it would have taken for me to stop and change the direction of my life. I believe that is easy for me to answer. All I would have needed back then was to feel love and be trusted. All I would have needed was for someone to hold me and care for me, and most of all, someone to believe in me.

Nothing more than that.3

Sharon

The major barrier living in a northern community is that everyone knows everyone. People are intimidated by what people will think. They wouldn't make the choice to tell about abuse like if they were living in the city where no one would know them. There are repercussions of telling you are abused or that you've been touched in a small community where everyone knows everyone.

In our community our Mayor was a pedophile. I guess I was lucky, I didn't know anything about it. It took one person to bring it out 15 years later and everyone else is starting to come out about it now. Nobody ever said anything about it. The girl didn't know if her mom or dad would believe her, or what the community would think. I mean here is this little Metis girl and the person who is the abuser is a prominent person in the community. I mean people might have thought that she asked for it, or there would have been judgment.

Metis youth from a small Northern community

Cultural Teachings

If we look far enough back into the cultural past, most Aboriginal communities had specific taboos and warnings, proverbs and prescribed protocols (ie., rules of behaviour), that told people how to behave, and what to avoid with respect to sexuality and gender relations. An example of this is found in rules that limit contact between in-laws in many nations. All cultures had boundaries for appropriate sexual behaviour. Promiscuity as defined by the cultures was not tolerated from either sex and incest was strictly forbidden.