NON-OFFENDING ADULT GROUP

A 24-week psychological educational group for parents/guardians of children who have been sexually abused.

Family Counseling Service of Northern New York, Inc. 120 Washington Street, Suite 510 Watertown, New York 13601 fcsstaff@imcnet.net Watertown Office (315) 782-4483 Gouverneur Office (315) 287-7008

To register, or for more information, please contact: Family Counseling Service (315) 782-4483

GROUP GOAL

The goal of this 24-week psycho educational group is to increase the ability of the mother, father, or guardian of sexually abused children to protect them from further abusive situations. The objectives to meeting the goal include: 1. Increasing awareness and understanding of children's needs throughout their healing process. 2. Learning specific techniques to address problematic sexualized behavior of children. 3. Exploring feelings surrounding sexual abuse of children. 4. Learning facts about sexual abuse and sexual offenders.

GROUP TOPICS

Several group topics include: Boundaries & Values, Legal System, The Offense System, The Offender, Partner Alerts, Anger & The Disclosure, Family Patterns, Meeting Needs: Yours & Your Children's, Self Awareness/Self Destructive Behavior, Child's Boundaries/Personal Space, Facing the Reality of Sexual Abuse, Belief/Disbelief and the Effects on Children, How Children are Traumatized and Ways Children Cope, Normal Child Development and Sexuality, and Preventing Re-Abuse and Re-Offense.

ABOUT THE GROUP

This psycho educational group provides support to the family in dealing with the effects of sexual abuse and will promote healthy family functioning and appropriate parenting skills to establish a safe, protected environment in the home.

PREVENTING SEXUAL ABUSE

1. Educate Yourself



2. Healthy Attitudes



3. Work on past sexual abuse issues



4. Talk with family members about acceptable sexual behaviors



5. Open communication

   ABOUT SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN

    It's important for you to know that the more a person is sexually abused, the more they feel like a sex object and this is their only worth. The more they believe this, the more they think they deserve to be treated this way. There is a greater risk of being re-abused. It is the responsibility of the adults in the child's life to help counteract that child's increased vulnerability.