itsnotokCT - Prevention and Education-Staff

• Help the individuals you work with understand that they are in charge of their bodies by asking permission before helping them to get dressed, showered, or use the bathroom.  Model respect for the person’s personal space and physical boundaries by asking permission or declaring what you are going to do before touching him/her.
• Know the signs of abuse so you can prevent it from continuing if it has already occurred.
  • An increase in nightmares and/or other sleeping difficulties
  • Angry outbursts
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Difficulty walking or sitting
  • Withdrawn behavior
  • Pregnancy or contraction of a venereal disease
  • Propensity to run away
  • Refusal to change clothes or to participate in physical activities
  • Reluctance to be left alone with a particular person or people
  • Sexual knowledge, language, and/or behaviors that are unusual and inappropriate for their age
  • An increase in the intensity and frequency of stimming behaviors, self-injurious behaviors, and repetitive behaviors or to the development of new behaviors that were not previously present

Signs of Sexual Exploitation

Known intrusion; viewing or filming in a state of undress without his/her consent or knowledge; causing, allowing, permitting, inflicting, or encouraging a vulnerable adult to engage in voyeurism, exhibitionism, prostitution, or in lewd, obscene, or pornographic photographing, filming or depiction of the vulnerable adult.

Signs include:

• Tune in/Listen: – Take a deep breath – Be quiet and let them tell you what happened to them – Keep breathing – Stay as calm as possible – Believe what they tell you – Do not blame, judge, or punish
• Say – I believe you. I am sorry this happened to you. – This is not your fault. – You are not alone. – Thank you for trusting me with this.
• ASK: How can I help you? What do you need right now? Let them make the choice and decisions.
• TELL: An advocacy program can help you – on the phone or in person.
• HELP: Would you like to call them? I can help you with that if you want. (Do not pressure them to contact. You may wish to call later for your own support.)
• PROTECT: What would make you feel safe right now? Let’s make a safety plan.