Talk to Your Children About Sexual Assault

Tanya Santos

Are there more cases of sexual abuse against children that go unreported? C.E.O. Tanya Santos says that the children who are victims are often looking for someone to turn to. She also speaks to the level of support that is provided to victims. 

Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Ministry of Families

“This type of abuse unfortunately happens more often than is reported. We need to not be afraid to report these cases because it only gets worst over time and there is nothing that can be done if it is not brought to the attention of the police, if it is not brought to the attention of the relevant authorities such as the Human Services Department. Anyone you can reach, report these situations. I would also like to encourage parents and guardians to encourage your children to speak out. Do not let them remain quiet. There is a phrase that says children should be seen and not heard; no, let your children be heard and believe them when they speak. Let us talk to our children about physical abuse, about sexual abuse; what are the signs of these types of abuse because it is only by knowing what is the abuse when a child sees what is happening to them and knowing what is happening and in giving them that confidence to talk about it, to come to us, to come to a trusted parent or a trusted relative or a friend or one of their own friends to say you know what this person touched me or this person is abusing me, will we be able to know and be able to address the situation. We in this ministry do have therapists that provide counselling services to victims and survivors which is separate and apart from the police. And given that it is children that we are dealing it, it would be referred directly to this ministry to give and offer those types of services.”