Programs & Services

Sexual abuse of a child is inappropriately exposing or subjecting the child to sexual contact, activity, or behavior. Sexual abuse includes oral, anal, genital, buttock, and breast contact. It also includes the use of objects for vaginal or anal penetration, fondling, or sexual stimulation. Making a child available to others as a child prostitute, and stimulating a child with inappropriate solicitation activity may be with a boy or a girl and is done for the benefit of the offender. In addition, exploitation of a child for, exhibitionism, and erotic material are also forms of sexual abuse.

www.childhelp.org

The effects of sexual abuse extend far beyond childhood. Sexual abuse robs children of their childhood and creates a loss of trust, feelings of guilt and self-abusive behavior. It can lead to antisocial behavior, depression, identity confusion, loss of self-esteem and other serious emotional problems. It can also lead to difficulty with intimate relationships later in life. The sexual victimization of children is ethically and morally wrong.

Physical abuse of a child is any non-accidental injury to a child. This includes hitting, kicking, slapping, shaking, burning, pinching, hair pulling, biting, choking, whipping. Physical abuse is the most visible form of child maltreatment. Physical abuse results from inappropriate or excessive physical trauma.

Failure to provide for a child’s physical needs. This includes lack of supervision, inappropriate housing or shelter, inadequate provision of food and water, inappropriate clothing for season or weather, abandonment, denial of medical care and inadequate hygiene.

What to do if you think someone is abusing a child?

• Provide a safe environment (be comforting, welcoming, and a good listener)
• Listen carefully
• Be supportive, not judgmental
• Do not investigate
• REPORT IT!!! Anyone can and should report suspected child abuse and neglect. Protecting children is everyone’s job whether you know the child or not. Do not assume that someone else will intervene. People are often concerned that their suspicions will be unfounded but it does not matter. Reporting suspected abuse may save a child’s life.

Report any suspected abuse to Law Enforcement or the Department of Social Services

Domestic Violence is a pattern of behavior that includes but is not limited to the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior perpetrated by an intimate partner against another. It affects individuals in every community, regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Domestic Violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior, and thus is part of a systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence results in physical injury, psychological trauma, and sometimes death. The consequences of domestic violence can have lifelong effects on families.

If you have been assaulted by your spouse or partner, whether it has been one time or ten, you need a safety plan to leave your abusive environment.

Gather together important documents, such as your marriage license, birth certificates for you and your children, car registration, personal identification, checkbooks, social security cards, etc.

Hide an extra set of car and house keys either outside or at a neighbor’s home whom you trust.

Pack a suitcase for you and your children and store it with a neighbor or friend whom you trust.

Contact CASA/Family Systems to get help in obtaining emergency shelter services at our 24 hour hotline.

Services include:

• 24 hour crisis counseling
• Individual counseling
• Medical advocacy
• Information and referral
• Criminal Justice advocacy
• Support groups
• Temporary Emergency Shelter
• Assistance with Petitions for Protections

Sexual Assault covers a wide range of unwanted behaviors – up to but not including penetration – that are attempted or completed against a victim’s will or when a victim cannot consent because of age, disability, or the influence of alcohol or drugs. Sexual assault may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure and may include:

• Intentional touching of the victim’s genitals, anus, groin, or breasts
• Voyeurism
• Exposure to exhibitionism
• Undesired exposure to pornography
• Public display of images that were taken in a private context or when the victim was unaware

Rape is nonconsensual oral, anal, or vaginal penetration of the victim by body parts or objects using force, threats of bodily harm, or by taking advantage of a victim who is incapacitated or otherwise incapable of giving consent.

Incapacitation may include mental or cognitive disability, self-induced or forced intoxication, status as minor, or any other condition defined by law that voids an individual’s ability to give consent.