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What
Happens Next?
At the Hospital ...
The hospital emergency room has special kits and procedures
to use in sexual abuse cases. You also can call or request
that the
hospital call a rape crisis center advocate for assistance
during this time. The doctor will examine your child, fill
out a legal
report and do certain lab tests that may be used as evidence
in court. The doctor will ask you about the abuse to decide
what types
of tests must be done.
Most sexually abused children have not
suffered any serious physical injuries. However, if they have
been injured in
any way, the
medical staff will tell you how to care for them. Don’t
be afraid to ask questions. If you are not sure you understand
what you have
been told, ask more questions. It is usually necessary to
schedule a second appointment for follow-up care. Follow
the instructions
of the hospital staff.
Before or after the exam, the doctor or nurse will call law
enforcement and a person who is specially trained in child
protection to speak
with you and your child.
The child protection worker should answer any questions you
have and help you and your child talk about the experience
and what
to expect.
With the Police/DCFS ...
When you call the police, they will take a report and schedule
an interview. A police detective or child protective services
caseworker will ask you and your child about what happened.
The investigator needs to know:
- What happened;
- Where;
- When;
- Who else was present at the time.
This information will help the investigator
decide what to do next. It is important for the investigator
to talk with
your child. The child’s
statement may be tape recorded or it may be taken again at
the police station and documented
to take to court.
The police will also ask you and your
child if you know the offender and if he is a relative. If
you and the child do
not know the
offender, the
police will
ask your child what the offender looks like and may have
her look at pictures to help in identify the offender. It
usually
takes
time to
get all the
needed details. Try to be patient, and help your child remain
calm. Sometimes victims
won’t remember every detail in every setting, so don’t
be alarmed if your child’s story of the abuse varies
with each telling.
At Court ...
If a suspect is arrested, your child may have to go to the
courthouse to speak with a prosecutor. The prosecutor will
review the results
of the
medical examination
and lab tests. He or she will read the statement your child
gave to the police and review other information about the
incident. The prosecutor
will decide whether
to file charges against the person who is accused of abusing
your child.
If charges are filed, the judge will decide
whether the person who abused the child should be kept in jail
until
the day
of the trial.
The judge
may release
the suspect until the trial.
If there is a trial you will receive a subpoena.
The subpoena will tell the date, time and room where your child
must
appear. To make
it easier
for children to
testify against their abusers, testimony may be taken
in private, rather than in open court, and transmitted via
closed circuit
television equipment.
The person who abused the child will have a lawyer; this
is the defense attorney. This lawyer may want to talk to
your
child
or you before
the trial date; you
and your child do not have to talk to this person.
If the person who abused your child tells the judge he
or she is guilty, you and your child will not have to go
back
to court.
If
the person
who abused your
child says he is not guilty, a trial will be scheduled.
Prepare your child for the trial. A rape crisis advocate
can help
you. It may
be months from
the arrest
until you go to court for the trial. Except in rare cases,
you will not have to go to court anymore after the trial
is over.
When you go to court with your child, take along a quiet
toy and a snack. You may need to keep your child occupied
because
the waiting
time can
be long.
What Can I do to Protect My Child?
No one wants to think that their child will be sexually
abused, but it may happen. Here are a few things you
can do to protect
your child.
- Teach your child that some behavior
by adults or other children is wrong. Do not frighten the
child; just
make her aware
that she does
not have
to go along
with someone else’s idea.
- Tell your child she has the right
to say “no” and
ask for help immediately. Teach your child not to do something
that
bothers her. Teach
your child what
to do if she is in a situation where she is scared
or threatened. This may include yelling loudly or running for
help.
- Help your child find “safe adults” who
can help her. This may be you, other family members, friends,
teachers
and others.
- Teach your child the difference between
a “good secret” and a “bad
secret.” A “good secret” is one that will be shared with others
at some point, such as birthday party. A “bad secret” is
something that is hidden and never told to anyone.
If an adult does something to
a child that the child feels is wrong, the child should
tell someone right away, even
if the adult has told the child to keep it a secret.
- Teach your child the proper names for parts of the body.
This will help her disclose if anyone attempts
to or does touch
her inappropriately.
- Let your child know that you want to hear what she
has to say. Then, be a good listener. A child
should know
you will
listen
and will
believe her
if something
happens .
This pamphlet may not be reprinted without the permission
of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
For information contact
Sean Black
at 217-753-4117.
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