What do you do if your child discloses sexual abuse?

* Do not panic or overreact to the information. It is very important to remain as calm as possible. Your child might believe that you are angry or upset at him/her.
* Believe your child, because children rarely lie about sexual abuse.
* Calmly listen to the child and ask them what happened. Answer his/her questions honestly.
* Do not criticize your child for what happened. Explain to your child that he or she is not to blame for what happened.
* Respect the child's privacy. Be careful not to discuss the abuse in front of people who do not need to know what happened.
* Praise your child for telling you what happened.
* Reassure your child that your will protect them.
* Notify local Law Enforcement or Child Protective Agency.
* Seek medical help for your child from a physician trained to deal with and recognize sexual abuse. Get help. Get competent professional counseling, even if it's only for a short time.