Children are more likely to be sexually abused by someone they know, be it a cousin, family friend, caregiver, or a coach. The “stranger danger” talk parents have with their kids, are more often than not a very rare scenario. In fact, it is estimated that 90 per cent of child sex abuse is done by someone the child knows.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. Because kids are taught from an early age to respect and listen to adults, it is hard for them to speak up. Pedophiles often use threats towards the child and the family if he or she tells someone.
Despite the fact that kids don’t always tell what they are going through, there are usually changes in their eating habits, nightmares, withdrawal, fear of places, people, and activities. Clues that tell parents or guardians something is wrong. Continue on next page
Children love to draw the world around them filled with rainbows, sunshines, and flowers.
Parents in return proudly display the artwork on their fridge and walls.
Be a Fun Mum
Parents of a five-year-old girl in Minas Gerais, Brazil grew increasingly worried when her drawings turned dark.
The little girl refused to attend her English classes.
Tighe Moore
The teacher was Father Joao da Silva.
Her parents found in her room sketches that appeared to be sexual in nature.
Freepik
They took the five-year-old to see a child psychologist who suspected the child was sexually abused.
They were encouraged to go to the girl’s room to find further evidence.
CEN
Hidden in some of her books, they found six sketches of what looked like a man on top of a child.
In every drawing the child’s face looked scared and in pain.
CEN
The family contacted local authorities.
“One of them that caught our attention shows the face of a naked man with an erect penis,” said Karine Maia, from the Delegation for Stopping Crimes Against Women.
ABCatholic ABCatholic / YouTube
The little girl’s father called the priest to confront him.
The priest admitted to his hideous crimes. He is currently in custody in a Brazilian jail.
Washington Criminal Attorney