Tips & Guides

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WCSAP Webpage
March, 2013

Trauma can profoundly affect children's development. In an article highlighted on the website Zero to Three (National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families), Dr. Theodore Gaensbauer discusses the "Developmental and Therapeutic Aspects of Treating Infants and Toddlers Who Have Witnessed Violence." Dr. Gaensbauer's framework for understanding how trauma affects children has even wider significance, applying to older children and to those affected…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Trauma
Part 1
WCSAP Webpage
February, 2016

Many young people feel being pressured into having sex or participating in a sexual act before one feels entirely ready is a normal part of growing up; this is especially true if they have received little to no healthy relationship and sex education. However, we know this is a form of sexual violence and advocates working with youth have a unique opportunity to debunk this myth. Every person has complete control over their body and choice with whom and when they decide to hug, kiss, have sex…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • IPSV
  • CSA Prevention
WCSAP Webpage
January, 2013

When youth in one study were asked if they knew "where to find resources for GLBT youth experiencing dating violence," only 10% identified domestic violence or sexual assault services (Freedner et al., 2002). Many sexual assault programs struggle to reduce barriers for teens to access their services; in the case of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning) youth, the barriers may be even more substantial. It's important to note that the term "teen dating violence,"…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • LGBTQ
Fundamentación y Manejo de Ansiedad en Niños Jóvenes, Serie: Parte 1 de 3
WCSAP Webpage
September, 2021

Mientras seguimos avanzando con este “nuevo normal” que nos ha dejado la pandemia, es natural y esperado que ambos niños y padres sientan un aumento en su ansiedad. Esto es frecuentemente empeorado por la falta de privacidad generada por tener a toda la familia en casa- trabajando desde el hogar, o haciendo estudios escolares en línea. En situaciones como estas, es importante tener estrategias adicionales para poder facilitar este nuevo desafío. En esta serie nos estaremos enfocando en…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Culturally Specific
  • Latinx
Talking to Youth About Sexual Expression
WCSAP Webpage
August, 2017

Sex and sexuality are important and integral parts of most young people’s lives, and survivors of sexual abuse and assault are no exception. In fact, survivors may find it more necessary to explore their sexual identity and more complex to navigate engaging in sexual activity. This may be due to real, projected, or feared impacts of sexual assault on aspects of sexuality, including sexual identity, sexual relationships, and sexual experiences. As advocates, it’s crucial we provide space for…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • LGBTQ
Fight or Flight, Then Freeze
WCSAP Webpage
October, 2016

Often in advocacy we are asked by survivors “why didn’t I fight? Why am I not a fighter?” This information can be useful to share with survivors and help them be able to think more kindly about their body/brain’s reaction to the violence they experienced.

The Amygdala's Role in Stress Response

The brain’s job is to take care of the body. The brain is divided into four key areas: the neocortex/cerebrum, the cerebellum, the limbic system, and the brainstem. Each area focuses…

Topic
  • Advocacy
  • Child Sexual Abuse
WCSAP Webpage
March, 2018

For many survivors, coming forward and accessing resources also includes the pursuit of justice. However, personal feelings of justice do not always align with the traditional models of punishment-based responses that are seen as the only pathway to justice. In cases of child sexual abuse these models of justice can be even trickier to navigate due to the complicated contexts and relationships involved.

For these reasons, the framework of Transformative Justice can be helpful in…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Legal Advocacy
WCSAP Webpage
January, 2016

All people need to be able to use the restroom that corresponds to their gender identity. This is a safety issue that arises for transgender people in places that are open to the public like gyms, restaurants, and retail stores. A unique issue for transgender youth is safe access to restrooms and locker rooms at school. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality:

…59% of trans students have…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • LGBTQ
Child Sexual Abuse
WCSAP Webpage
April, 2011

Children who have been sexually abused have often experienced an entire series of traumatic events, from multiple victimizations to seriously disrupted relationships with their parents. These children's experiences can't be described with the traditional posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) label; their fundamental ways of interacting with the world and sometimes even their biological functions are changed because of the chronic, pervasive stress to which they have been exposed at this…

Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Trauma
  • Therapy
WCSAP Webpage
November, 2014

Sometimes a video is worth a thousand words! Some of these videos are intended to demonstrate techniques for therapists, and some can be shown directly to child clients. If you like a particular video, do a search to see if it is part of a series by the same person or group, as several of these are. The duration of the video is in parentheses after the name.

Helpful Thoughts: CBT Activity (6:35)
Topic
  • Child Sexual Abuse
  • Therapy