[color:"red"] Is there anything that you would add to the article I wrote?

I recently got an email from a young teenage girl who was distraught over her step father touching her. She went to her mother and her mother thinks she is lying. I could tell this little girl was very upset. How can a parent not take this seriously? I know there are children out there who are chronic liars or may just want attention so they may say these things but even so, wouldn't you invesigate just to make sure? If your child came to you with this what would you do?[/color] <img src="/images/graemlins/irish.gif" alt="" />

You should investigate it to be sure, but do not jump to conclusions. Some step children may resent their step father and may lie to try and get rid of him.

Dave,

I agree, there are many children out there who resent step parents and will do anything to get rid of them. But too many times we are seeing children coming forward to the other parent or someone they think they can trust and it is being brushed aside for that very fact.

From what I've seen, most children do not lie about being sexually abused by a family member. There is a great amount of shame and guilt coinciding with their decision to tell someone. Oftentimes, they wait months, if not years, before telling anyone. Trust me when I say that telling an adult what has happened is no easy task for childhood victims of sexual abuse. I know, because I have been there. I was sexually abused by a cousin at 7-years-old and by a neightborhood boy around 9-years-old. I didn't tell anyone until about three years ago. It's very difficult for any childhood victim to tell what happened. They often will be afraid that they will get their parent or relative in trouble. They may also be afraid of further abuse should they tell someone. lastly, they may fear that no one will believe them.

Just my thoughts on it.