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How To Talk Your Teen Through Sexual Trauma
Season 1, Episode 6
How To Talk Your Teen Through Sexual Trauma
*TRIGGER WARNING* episode includes conversation regarding sexual assault and rape.
Jax and Renae discuss how to talk to your teen who has experienced sexual trauma either as a teen or as a child. Although this is a sensitive topic and understandably challenging to talk about, it is a much needed conversation.
A staggering 95% of people have experienced some form of unwanted touch. Therefore, this is an important conversation to have in order to support parents who may have a child or children who have been sexually assaulted, either from rape or unwanted touch.
Trigger Warning! We break down common questions they are when their teen or a teen they have experienced sexual trauma. This is a difficult topic for our kids, parents, and counselors! So do what you need to do to take care of yourself during our next two episodes. Here are some things to know to listen to this episode.
My child has sexual trauma. What do I do?
Step 1: Don’t freak out! Your parent senses are going to be highly activated, but they need you to stay calm. No matter what is happening in our teen's lives. We are always the parent.
Step 2: Listen. It is going to be super hard because you are going to want to go to action, but that can come later. They need you now. They may just tell you and go. Empathy and Validation are KEY. Give them the space to do what they need to do. These conversations sometimes happen over time.
Step 3: Check-in with them. It is going to take time to process.
Step 4: Gather the troops. Ask your child if they need another adult to talk to, or maybe you need them to talk to a different adult. You are a good parent whether they talk to you or not!
Step 5: Keep checking in over the loooooong haul. They may need to talk with new developmental stages.
Signs of Trauma
This is tricky. The signs of your teen being traumatized look the same as other struggles such as mental health issues, friendship changes, puberty, etc… What you are looking for are changes in their behavior that are consistent over time. We list the changes in the podcast, but remember that no matter what behavior your child is displaying, you are a great parent. I mean come on, you are listening to a parenting podcast.
Do I need to contact the police?
It depends on the situation and the area you are living in, so we cannot give you a direct answer. However, we can provide resources. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673). If your child has been
raped, time can be of the essence with evidence collection. Calling this hotline will help you connect to local resources and they can talk you through your next steps.
Resources
https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
https://www.rainn.org/articles/warning-signs-teens
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/201111/has-your-teen-been-sexually-assaulted
https://www.rainn.org/articles/help-parents-children-who-have-been-sexually-abused-family-members
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/f_abused.pdf
https://thercc.org/get-support/supporting-loved-one/supporting-child-sexually-assaulted/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Finding-out-your-child-has-been-sexually-abused-or-exploited/
Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momsandteengirls/?ref=bookmarks
Jax Anderson can be found on IG @thepsykotherapist and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxandersonlpc/
Renae Swanson can be found on IG @renae.d.swanson and at www.integritycounselingllc.net
Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com
"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"
View all episodes
By Jax Anderson & Renae SwansonSeason 1, Episode 6
How To Talk Your Teen Through Sexual Trauma
*TRIGGER WARNING* episode includes conversation regarding sexual assault and rape.
Jax and Renae discuss how to talk to your teen who has experienced sexual trauma either as a teen or as a child. Although this is a sensitive topic and understandably challenging to talk about, it is a much needed conversation.
A staggering 95% of people have experienced some form of unwanted touch. Therefore, this is an important conversation to have in order to support parents who may have a child or children who have been sexually assaulted, either from rape or unwanted touch.
Trigger Warning! We break down common questions they are when their teen or a teen they have experienced sexual trauma. This is a difficult topic for our kids, parents, and counselors! So do what you need to do to take care of yourself during our next two episodes. Here are some things to know to listen to this episode.
My child has sexual trauma. What do I do?
Step 1: Don’t freak out! Your parent senses are going to be highly activated, but they need you to stay calm. No matter what is happening in our teen's lives. We are always the parent.
Step 2: Listen. It is going to be super hard because you are going to want to go to action, but that can come later. They need you now. They may just tell you and go. Empathy and Validation are KEY. Give them the space to do what they need to do. These conversations sometimes happen over time.
Step 3: Check-in with them. It is going to take time to process.
Step 4: Gather the troops. Ask your child if they need another adult to talk to, or maybe you need them to talk to a different adult. You are a good parent whether they talk to you or not!
Step 5: Keep checking in over the loooooong haul. They may need to talk with new developmental stages.
Signs of Trauma
This is tricky. The signs of your teen being traumatized look the same as other struggles such as mental health issues, friendship changes, puberty, etc… What you are looking for are changes in their behavior that are consistent over time. We list the changes in the podcast, but remember that no matter what behavior your child is displaying, you are a great parent. I mean come on, you are listening to a parenting podcast.
Do I need to contact the police?
It depends on the situation and the area you are living in, so we cannot give you a direct answer. However, we can provide resources. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.HOPE (4673). If your child has been
raped, time can be of the essence with evidence collection. Calling this hotline will help you connect to local resources and they can talk you through your next steps.
Resources
https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
https://www.rainn.org/articles/warning-signs-teens
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/teen-angst/201111/has-your-teen-been-sexually-assaulted
https://www.rainn.org/articles/help-parents-children-who-have-been-sexually-abused-family-members
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/f_abused.pdf
https://thercc.org/get-support/supporting-loved-one/supporting-child-sexually-assaulted/
https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/articles/Finding-out-your-child-has-been-sexually-abused-or-exploited/
Find Jax and Renae on social media by engaging with them in their facebook group for Moms of Tween/Teen Daughters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/momsandteengirls/?ref=bookmarks
Jax Anderson can be found on IG @thepsykotherapist and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaxandersonlpc/
Renae Swanson can be found on IG @renae.d.swanson and at www.integritycounselingllc.net
Join the email list for Raise A Little Hell Podcast here: www.raisealittlehellpodcast.com
"Disclaimer: This podcast is informational and NOT a substitute, replacement or in conjunction with individual, family, couples’ and group psychotherapy. If you or someone you know is in need or seeking mental health services please contact your local mental health service provider. For more resources pertaining to mental health please visit https://www.nami.org/"