© 2000 Jordan Institute
for Families

Practice Tips: Dealing with Sexual Abuse

1. Be aware of your own personal reactions towards victims, perpetrators, and the families.
   

2. Have a solid grasp of how and why sexual abuse happens, typical effects of abuse on children, and the child behavior and relationship problems caused by sexual abuse.
   

3. Remember that children who have been sexually abused are not all alike, and so will not benefit from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to treatment.
   

4. Build rapport with the child while conducting your assessment.
   

5. Develop and maintain your knowledge of the treatment options available in your community and in the state.
   

6. Realize that the sexual abuse children have experienced is not their total existence: there are other parts of their lives as well. They do not want to focus exclusively on the abuse.