Continuing the Conversation Blog

Could Josh Duggar Be Your Son? Four Things You Need to Know Friday, May 22, 2015

I awoke to sad news today. Another TV family, in the news, their oldest son guilty of sex crimes as a juvenile.

I am both an optimist and a cynic when it comes to Nineteen Kids and Counting. I want to believe there are families where joy and innocence reign far away from the darkness of this world. But I have to admit, the times I’ve watched the show, I’ve looked for shades of gray—hints of the imperfect. Looking for something, anything that’s relatable to my life beyond viewing the typical childish behavior and parental responses to temper tantrums, spilled milk, and adolescent eye rolling.

But even the cynic in me didn’t want to see this breaking story—the Duggar news report. Nobody wants to see this, let alone process, or discuss this.

And that’s part of the problem.

When it comes to sexual abuse, we still live in a see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil society. We want to push childhood sexual abuse into the darkness, and like most bacteria that is where it breeds.

I will not comment on the details regarding the Duggar case, it’s far too early. I will leave that to the authorities.

But I will share with you what I have learned from children, law enforcement, and survivors. I not only want to help you protect your kids from CSA, but also from predatory behavior. Because yes, even if you have attempted to shelter your children from the world, they can still be molested . . . and they can still molest.

Here are four things you need to know to protect your children from developing predatory behavior:

  • Teach your children respect for their bodies and others’ bodies. This begins by embracing the natural curiosity of children, including their sexuality. Teach the proper names for body parts. Children have fingers and toes. They also have a penis or vagina. Kids are masters at taking our emotional temperatures. When we use silly words to label their penis or vagina or act embarrassed about their private areas, they pick up on it. We push their natural curiosity into a dangerous corner, which shames them, silences them, and leaves them to face their sexuality alone.

Children who are taught respect for their bodies, are more likely to respect themselves and others.

 

  • Instruct your children that no one is allowed to touch the area where their swimsuit covers, nor are they allowed to touch others where their swimsuit covers. Ask any elementary school teacher and they will tell you little boys engage in this behavior with each other often. They think it’s funny. But children have adults in their lives to teach them otherwise. Support all of those tireless teachers out there and teach your kids body boundaries.

Children who are taught body boundaries are more likely to respect their bodies and others.

 

  • Monitor your child’s input. We live in a culture that is molesting our children—taking away their innocence every day. Images and lewd comments bombard them. We need to minimize inappropriateness as much as possible and use each unfortunate encounter as a teachable moment. Put filters/blocks on their devices, keep their iPads, iPods, laptops, and tablets out of their rooms at night, and do random checks. Teach the value of accountability which they can implement into their lives and take with them as they grow. Ask them questions with each news report, school incident, and billboard. “What did you think about the Duggar story trending today? Was the boy in the North Penn School District respecting women when he shared the nude photos of his classmates? What do you think that car company is selling on the billboard we just passed?” Questions help children process. Listening helps us know how to guide their thinking.

Children who are monitored, heard, and given guidance and tools for self-protection and accountability, are more likely to respect themselves and others.

 

  • Model respect for the human body in your own behavior. What do you watch, listen to, or have hidden in your computer files? Detective Diane Obbema has investigated over 300 child sex crimes. In her excellent book, Protecting Innocence, she writes, “Hiding porn for private viewing is no guarantee it won’t be discovered. I know this because many children have told me they have viewed it and where their parents’ stashes were located” (Obbema, 2015, p. 50). She also writes, “Viewing such images can become a catalyst for a child to act out sexually. Every teenage sex offender I have interviewed had pornography as part of his life—every single one!” (Obbema, 2015, p. 51).

Parents who respect themselves and others’ bodies, inspire their children to respect their own bodies and others.

 

This morning I silence the optimist in me, regarding the Duggar family, that says, Never! I don’t believe it! I also quiet the cynic in me, because there is no time for I knew it! I knew that family has issues too.  

According to the Duggar news report, an adolescent committed a crime. Children were hurt.

Adolescents will continue to commit crimes against children. And children will continue to be hurt, until we are willing to understand this evil, discuss this evil, and speak truth regarding this evil.

It is up to each and every adult to begin the discussion to protect our children from molestation and protect them from becoming a child who violates. I know we can make a difference.

And I will remain optimistic, but I will not be silent.


 

 

 

Carolyn Byers Ruch is the Founder of Rise and Shine Movement and Author of the children’s book, Rise And Shine: A Tool for the Prevention of Childhood Sexual Abuse. She has spent the past ten years championing the issue of childhood sexual abuse and has received training certificates from some of the leading organizations dedicated to protecting children. A former teacher and mother of seven, her life has been enriched through adoption and foster care.

 

 

 


 

 

Share This Blog:

Would your child keep a
secret from you?

FIND OUT

Get our FREE video:
What If? Conversation Starters 
or never miss a post!

 

Contributors

We're moms, just like you, who want to help parents protect their kids from childhood sexual abuse.


You may also like...



"If," a Poem for Prevention
Monday, November 15, 2021



She's Already Won the Gold
Wednesday, July 28, 2021



Talking to Our Kids about Sex and Sexual Abuse. It's More Than Just the Facts.
Monday, February 22, 2021



When Your Nothing Is Everything
Thursday, April 16, 2020



Children Know the World Is...
Wednesday, March 18, 2020



“Kissing Cousins:" What Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger Taught About Sexual Abuse Prevention
Wednesday, February 5, 2020



So, What About Sleepovers?
Wednesday, November 6, 2019



How to Teach Our Children about Sex While We Are Still Their Heroes
Wednesday, April 24, 2019



How to Protect Our Special Needs Children from Sexual Abuse
Tuesday, September 25, 2018



What If My Child Won’t Talk to Me?
Saturday, June 23, 2018



THANK YOU for donating to Rise and Shine Movement's 5th Annual Stuffed Animal Drive
Thursday, May 24, 2018



One Essential Parenting Decision You Will Never Regret
Tuesday, April 3, 2018



Rise and Shine Movement's 5th Annual Stuffed Animal Drive
Wednesday, March 14, 2018



Processing the Larry Nassar Childhood Sexual Abuse Case
Thursday, January 25, 2018



Confident Parenting In A "Me, Too" World
Wednesday, January 24, 2018



Are You and Your Children Free To Be?
Tuesday, January 23, 2018



Three Questions Matt Lauer Should Ask His Children
Wednesday, December 13, 2017



When You Catch Your Child “Playing Doctor”
Wednesday, October 25, 2017



Blush-free Family Movie Nights
Friday, July 14, 2017



How You Can Build a Relationship with Your Son by Talking about Porn
Thursday, April 27, 2017



The Day an Innocent Search Turned Up an Image My Son Can’t Erase: 5 Tips to Keep Your Kids Safe
Thursday, April 20, 2017



How to Speak about Porn and Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Child
Thursday, April 13, 2017



How You Can Help Protect Your Son's Innocence By Talking About Pornography
Thursday, April 6, 2017



Will Your Son Know What To Do When Someone Shows Him Porn?
Friday, March 31, 2017



Do Your Children Love Our Stories?
Wednesday, February 1, 2017



Why It’s Good for Your Child to Hurt: A Lesson from a Sexual Abuse Survivor
Saturday, January 7, 2017



A New Website, A New Video -- Our gifts to you!
Wednesday, December 7, 2016



Two Fearless Questions to Ask Your Child After a Playdate
Thursday, June 23, 2016



4 Things Perpetrators Don't Want Fathers to Know
Monday, June 13, 2016



April Awareness Month Wrap Up
Wednesday, May 11, 2016



Tip Four for Protecting Your Kids from Sexual Abuse (April 2016 Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign)
Monday, April 25, 2016



Tip Three for Protecting Your Kids from Sexual Abuse (April 2016 Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign)
Monday, April 18, 2016



Tip Two for Protecting Your Kids from Sexual Abuse (April 2016 Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign)
Monday, April 11, 2016



Tip One for Protecting Your Kids from Sexual Abuse (April 2016 Sexual Abuse Awareness Campaign)
Monday, April 4, 2016



2016 Stuffed Animal Drive Underway!
Thursday, March 31, 2016



The Winner Is (Our Bobby Gilliam Book Giveaway)
Monday, February 1, 2016



It's a Bobby Gilliam Book Giveaway!
Monday, January 25, 2016



Why Should I Talk To My Kids About Porn?
Friday, January 22, 2016



Prevention Strategies Around the Holidays
Tuesday, November 24, 2015



Your Best Defense Against Childhood Sexual Abuse
Friday, September 18, 2015



Measuring Success for CSA Awareness
Thursday, May 21, 2015



Is Your Child's Summer Camp Safe? Three Questions You Should Ask
Tuesday, May 19, 2015



What If Question Four
Monday, April 27, 2015



Bear Drive Huge Success in 2014
Wednesday, April 22, 2015



What If Question Three
Monday, April 20, 2015



What If Question Two
Monday, April 13, 2015



Protecting Our Kids from Sexual Abuse
Thursday, April 9, 2015



What If Question One
Monday, April 6, 2015



What If Conversation Starters
Wednesday, April 1, 2015



How Moms Can Make A Difference
Wednesday, April 1, 2015



Children Don't Tell Because They Protect
Thursday, October 16, 2014



Children Don't Tell Because They Trust
Thursday, October 2, 2014



Children Don't Tell Because They Love
Monday, September 29, 2014



When a Story and a Calling Converge
Thursday, September 25, 2014