Children's Web Page.

Hi! My name is Andie. I work here at the Centre Against Sexual Assault, talking to children who have been sexually abused. Sexual abuse, is sometimes called sexual assault, and it is when an adult or someone who is bigger and has more power than the child, touches the private parts of their body. Or they might make the child look at them, or at pictures or videos of people's private parts. Or the bigger person might make the child touch their body in a sexual way. Some of the kids that talk to me about their thoughts and worries, tell me that the sexual assault made them feel lots of different ways, and that it can be really confusing.

Kids tell me that the person who did this to them, told them not to tell anyone. They say that this secret made them feel really bad and horrible inside - like they just knew it wasn't right.

You know there are good secrets - the ones that make you feel happy and excited. These ones will often make other people happy too, when they find out, like a surprise Birthday party!! And there are bad secrets - these ones make you feel sad, yucky and confused, and often kids are told that no one else should ever find out these secrets.

After kids are able to tell someone about what is happening - about the sexual abuse - often kids come to counselling.

Counselling is when you go to a place, like here where I work at the Centre Against Sexual Assault, and you get to talk, play and do activities that help to get rid of the yucky feelings and thoughts which can sometimes stay with kids after the sexual abuse has stopped. Kids tell me that they like counselling, because the counsellor makes it fun and safe, and what ever the kids say to their counsellor, is just between you and them.

If your counsellor does need to tell someone what you've said, she will talk to you first!

Counselling can help to sort out all of the mixed up thoughts and feelings which can make kids feel pretty awful. Talking about what happened to you can be scary. It might be like remembering a scary dream that really happened! But just like bad dreams- the more you talk about it with an adult you can trust the less scary it becomes.

Sometimes kids think that talking about the sexual assault, will make it feel like it might happen all over again - but you don't need to worry, because you're safe now. And you have another adult that you can trust to tell anything you want you're counsellor!!

It takes courage to talk about the sexual assault that happened to you. It might be hard to begin with - but it will get easier, and your counsellor will help!

So now you know all about what counselling is like for kids who have been sexually abused. Always remember that if this has happened to you, or someone you know, it is never your fault that it happened, that you have the right to feel safe and be safe, and that there are people who can, and will help you.

If you want to start feeling better, and you think counselling might help, you can ring us here in Bendigo, on 54410 430 for more information if you like.

Email us for more information

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