Advocates stress education, vigilance for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — April may be Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but advocates know the work doesn't truly end when the calendar flips to May.

Education is one of the focal points for Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center in Decatur. The group believes conversations about consent and boundaries need to start at an early age. Parents can then tailor those talks to their children's age and maturity.

"Start with concepts kids are already familiar with like asking for permission before you do something," said prevention educator Rebecca Madden. "Introducing a new word like 'consent' seems less scary and overwhelming because they already have something to relate it to."

Those simple conversations set kids up to learn more about consent, boundaries and sexual assault as they grow older. Madden said talking about those topics allows kids to feel more comfortable opening up to a parent or trusted adult about possible abuse.

But if a child is not opening up, parents, teachers and other adults show know the signs that a child is dealing with the aftermath of sexual abuse. Some of the most common signs include sudden shifts in behavior. Changes in sleep patterns, uncontrolled emotional outbursts and self-harm can all stem from a sexual assault. Other signs can include increased anxiety around certain dates, places or people.

"What people don't understand is that every school we walk into, there is a child who has been sexually abused and has not talked about it," Madden said. "This is such a widespread issue. This is such a consistent issue and one of our only tools against it is prevention...[Parents] know what the child looks like on a good day and on a bad day. Notice those behavior changes."

To learn more about resources for survivors of sexual assault and for parents looking to educate their kids, click here.