Something Happened and I'm Scared to Tell: A Book for Young Victims of Abuse

Rating:
Summary: It helped my kids
Review: I recently adopted two young children and began to suspect they had been sexually abused. My preschool daughter even underwent a forensic examination but did not disclose anything. I read them this book, however, and it sparked a discussion about sex and what happens during sex that led to them disclosing the very serious abuse they underwent. So even though this book is not perfect, the illustrations are not in color, for example, it would be the highest rating possible from me.

Rating:
Summary: It helped my kids
Review: In this book, a friendly lion helps a child come to terms with the reality of sexual abuse. The use of an androgynous child should help both males and females to recognize themselves, and the discussion of common feelings related to abuse (such as fear, guilt, and confusion) is valuable. However, as a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I was shocked and dismayed by the list of possible reasons abusers target children. The lion tells the child that child abusers may be afraid to love adults, and that adolescent offenders may simply be "curious about sex." It is my opinion that these are not valid reasons to abuse a child. Such misinformation only detracts from the child's needs by "explaining away" behavior and making the abuser an object of pity. As a result, a child may feel that it is wrong to feel angry or sad, because the perpetrator, being "afraid to love grownups," had no choice but to abuse. I am sure this is not the message the author intended to convey. However, if I had read this book as a child, I am certain I would have felt terrible for my abuser and therefore locked myself further into silence. If you must use this book, tell a child that much has been learned and acknowledged since its publication. Also, look for books published in 1993 or later. Great strides have been made in the last eight years.

Rating:
Summary: Some good things, but BE CAREFUL!
Review: In this book, a friendly lion helps a child come to terms with the reality of sexual abuse. The use of an androgynous child should help both males and females to recognize themselves, and the discussion of common feelings related to abuse (such as fear, guilt, and confusion) is valuable. However, as a survivor of sexual abuse myself, I was shocked and dismayed by the list of possible reasons abusers target children. The lion tells the child that child abusers may be afraid to love adults, and that adolescent offenders may simply be "curious about sex." It is my opinion that these are not valid reasons to abuse a child. Such misinformation only detracts from the child's needs by "explaining away" behavior and making the abuser an object of pity. As a result, a child may feel that it is wrong to feel angry or sad, because the perpetrator, being "afraid to love grownups," had no choice but to abuse. I am sure this is not the message the author intended to convey. However, if I had read this book as a child, I am certain I would have felt terrible for my abuser and therefore locked myself further into silence. If you must use this book, tell a child that much has been learned and acknowledged since its publication. Also, look for books published in 1993 or later. Great strides have been made in the last eight years.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for reaching young children at-risk
Review: This book is fairly direct in exploring a young child's discomfort arising from sexual abuse. I use it in a prevention program I conduct with four,five and six-year-olds, and it was responded to with great interest (and many questions) by a little girl who had already aroused the concern of school staff. Evidently, it reaches the intended audience!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent resource for reaching young children at-risk
Review: This book is fairly direct in exploring a young child's discomfort arising from sexual abuse. I use it in a prevention program I conduct with four,five and six-year-olds, and it was responded to with great interest (and many questions) by a little girl who had already aroused the concern of school staff. Evidently, it reaches the intended audience!