Most parents want their children to confide in them about their problems. Unfortunately, if you have a daughter, there is a real possibility that one such problem may be that of sexual harassment or violence. A study from Harvard University found 87% of girls have experienced sexual harassment and the CDC reports nearly one in three women have experienced some form of sexual violence victimization. Being a victim of sexual violence or harassment is one of the biggest problems that a teenager can face and, correspondingly, it can be one of the most difficult problems them to talk about. Even if a parent and child have a close and trusting relationship, teens may have compelling reasons for not disclosing.
However, the rise of the “#MeToo” movement has inspired more and more people to share their personal past experiences with sexual wrongdoings. These revelations may be sparked by current events, celebrity revelations or even political debates. During the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, which further amplified the voice of the MeToo movement, Fox News Host Chris Wallace shared a personal story regarding his daughters. While discussing the controversy surrounding the Brett Kavanaugh sexual assault allegations with his family, two of his adult daughters told him what he described as “stories that I had never heard about things that happened to them in high school.” As a parent, Wallace is not alone in this experience.
So what should a parent do when their daughter says “Me Too?” Here are six do’s and don’t’s to consider if your child informs you that they were a victim of sexual wrongdoing:
[For more on this story by Kathryn Stamoulis Ph.D., go to https://www.psychologytoday.co...-when-she-says-metoo]
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