« Child advocates fight abuse bill | Main | Child Sodomy Suspect Confesses To More Abuse »
March 21, 2005
Crisis Center offers two groups for child victims of abuse
March 21, 2005 [Jacksonville progress]
By Lauren LaFleur - Progress News Writer
Approximately one out of three girls and one out of five boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18, according to the Crisis Center of Anderson and Cherokee County's Web site, www.mycrisiscenter.com
"Approximately one half of batterers also intentionally injure their children physically and/or sexually," the site states, but "regardless of whether children are physically abused, the emotional effects of witnessing domestic violence are very similar with the psychological trauma associated with being a victim of child abuse."
For just those reasons, the center will begin two special groups this week - one aimed at teenage victims of sexual abuse and the other designed for child victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
"The reason we decided to do kids groups is because sometimes peers give feedback that a parent or counselor can't," said Amanda Cordova, Crisis Center counselor and facilitator for the two new groups.
TASA - or Teens Against Sexual Abuse - is designed with the female teenage victim of sexual assault in mind.
"We're hoping (through the group's work) they can build trust and understanding," Cordova said. "Also, we want them to develop some social skills and self-esteem and self-responsibility."
The group will meet 3-4 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning Tuesday through April 26, at the Crisis Center in Jacksonville.
The group will be led by Cordova and counselor Sherrie Saenz.
The second new group - Kids Interactive Discovery Station, or KIDS - will also meet for six weeks, 3-4 p.m. Thursdays at the center's Jacksonville location.
The group is designed for kids ages 5-6 years old who are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse, Cordova said.
"We are planning on using some play therapy technologies in the group," Cordova said. "In play therapy, children will work their problems out through play, because that's their natural environment."
Cordova and Saenz will both facilitate the KIDS group.
For more information about either group, or to sign up for the groups, call the Crisis Center at 903-586-9118 or 1-800-232-8519
Posted by Nancy at March 21, 2005 04:27 AM