096: How to prevent sexual abuse

This is another of those topics I really wish I didn’t have to do. In this interview with Dr. Jennie Noll of Pennsylvania State University, we discuss the impacts that sexual abuse can have on a child (even many years after the event itself!), and we talk extensively about what parents can do to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.   If you want to be sure to remember this info, there’s a FREE one-page cheat sheet of the 5 Key Steps Parents Can Take to Prevent Sexual Abuse available here: Get the FREE Guide!   Jump to highlights 01:26 Introduction to the topic, inspired by the USA gymnastics abuse scandal 02:52 Introduction to Dr. Jennie Noll, researcher on child maltreatment and abuse prevention 03:58 Mental and emotional health impacts of sexual abuse: PTSD, anxiety, depression, attachment difficulties 06:13 Does it matter if abuse happens once versus chronically? Why the boundary violation itself matters most 08:53 How life transitions like marriage or having a child can bring old trauma back to the surface 13:06 What real support looks like: believing the child, then ongoing support through every developmental stage 15:28 How common is child sexual abuse really, and why reported numbers undercount it 18:18 Why children struggle to recognize abuse from people their family trusts 23:18 Why using correct anatomical terms can itself be a protective signal to would-be abusers 32:51 Recognizing grooming behavior and talking with kids about secrets versus surprises 40:15 Behavioral and physical signs that might indicate abuse has occurred 43:16 Telling the difference between normal childhood sexual curiosity and exploitation 45:03 What to do if you suspect abuse 47:56 Anonymous hotlines where you can ask questions before deciding whether to report 50:47 Children's Advocacy Centers (CACs) and how they improve conviction rates   References: Bolen, R.M., & Scannapieco, M. 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