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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-05-28, Page 23Wednesday, May 28, 2014 • News Record 23 Sexual abuse is often a scar that cannot be seen to the blind eye Special to the News Record In an effort to raise awareness and encourage healing amongst victims of sexual assault, the Huron Wom- en's Shelter will be launching a series of articles this May in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The articles are intended to edu- cate people on the various forms of sexual assault and abuse that can occur and local services that are available to help promote self -heal- ing and moving forward. Brian is a Grade 2 teacher in Huron County. He has worked in the public school system for over 25 years and has met many wonderful children and families along the way. This school year, Brian has noticed that one of his students seems to be very educated and aware of sexual activity and anatomy for her age. Dif- ferent artwork and writing assign- ments have indicated a level of sex- ual maturity that Brian has not often encountered in the past with chil- dren of the same age. While he noticed the behaviour, he did not flag it, because this sort of knowledge can be the result of several different fac- tors like older siblings sharing infor- mation or mature television pro- grams. Brian kept a close eye on this student as the school year pro- gressed. Recently, after this student submitted a sexually explicit art pro- ject, Brian asked where she had got- ten the idea for her drawing. The child, unaware of the magnitude of her statements, nonchalantly explained what seemed to be a clear cut case of her being the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Immediately, Brian contacted the Children's Aid Society. As a teacher, he is legally obligated to report any instances of abuse. In conjunction with the OPP, the Chil- dren's Aid Society has launched an investigation into the student's fam- ily situation. Brian has done his best to be a supportive and positive adult in this student's life, hoping that he can positively impact her future despite what has happened to her. Brian knows all too well the lifelong struggle that a case of childhood sex- ual abuse can lead to. It wasn't too long ago that Brian was an abused child himself. Unfortunately, at that time, Brian was uncomfortable shar- ing what was happening to him and with no obvious warning signs, the abuse went unreported. For Brian, this is an opportunity to do for one of his students what he has often wished someone did for him. Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, any sexual contact between a child and caregiver. A car- egiver is anyone who has charge of the child such as a babysitter, parent, teacher, or scout leader. This could include sexual penetration, sexual touching, sexual exposure or sugges- tiveness or harassment or voyeurism. It can happen to girls or boys, it can happen to the rich or the poor, and it can happen in a big city or small town. Unlike many cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse is often not obvious. It is the scar that you don't see, but it can change the course of an innocent child's life irrevocably. In Huron County, the Huron -Perth Children's Aid Society (HPCAS) works in Kids in the Kitchen day camp returning this summer Camps will held in Bayfield, Blyth and Egmondville Two United Churches discov- ered that when kids had a hands-on opportunity to prepare the food they eat, they tended to choose something healthy—and they felt excited about it. Last summer Laura Peach, a stu- dent of nutrition and dietetics at Western University, shared her pas- sion for cooking and nutrition edu- cation to over 40 children, ages eight to12 at two churches in Huron County. Not only did the children and youth helpers leam how to prepare food but they leamed how to appreciate food. Eleven -year-old Kiersten returned to the program the third day saying, "I made pancakes and muffins and real lemonade for my family, and they loved it:; while nine-year-old Mitchell, in a hushed tone, told the leaders, "I am going to try and eat a taco. I have never eaten a taco because I am a rather picky eater. I wish someone could take a picture of me:' Kids in the Kitchen helped chil- dren learn about healthy and ethi- cal foods, as prepared diverse reci- pes each day. Parents were thrilled that their children came home ready to make a "meal" from the cookbook they received and with the skills they acquired in the kitch- ens at Blyth United and Egmond- ville United Churches. The program is getting up and running again for this summer and will be held in Egmondville and Blyth, as well as St Andrew's United, Bayfield. The day begins with a les- son from Laura, who shares infor- mation with activities about food and moves into prepping and preparing. One day, for example, the children will learn about reading labels on cereal boxes and discem- ing whether they want to choose highly processed or made from scratch food options. A sense of gratefulness runs throughout the program and fami- lies are invited the last day to come and appreciate the bounty with a taste sampling of the foods pre- pared throughout the week Kids in the Kitchen Summer Day Camp, 2014 has a limited number of spaces and suggest families regis- ter their children early. All children between eight to 12 are welcome. We are also looldng for adult/ senior youth volunteers. For more information or to register call Blyth United Church at 519-523- 4224, Egmondiville United Church at 519-527- 1991, St. Andrew's United Church, Bayfield at 519-565- 2894 or Kathy Douglas at 519-523-4380. local communities to provide sup- port and help to children (legally defined 16 and under) and their families. If you are in a situation in which abuse or neglect of a child is suspected, one phone call to HPCAS can lead to positive changes for a child or entire family. HPCAS works in partnership with the local OPP to investigate any claims that are made. Cases are approached individually and many efforts are made to ensure comfort and safety for the child and any non -offending caregivers. In the case that sexual abuse is pre- sent in the child's life, HPCAS works towards a solution that will remove the abusive situation from the child while also balancing what is in their best interest. Barriers like a lack of transportation, limited financial resources and scheduling conflicts will be considered and remedied for any victims needing such assistance. HPCAS also provides counselling and support services to children who have been victims of sexual abuse. They also work in partnership with local organizations like the Huron Women's Shelter and the Huron Centre for Children & Youth, both of whom provide individual and group counselling that works towards heal- ing and moving forward from an abusive situation. Children are deli- cate and innocent, but they are also incredibly resilient. Starting the heal- ing process at a young age can help a child overcome what has happened to them. 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