by Elizabeth Roth
Even as she began to comprehend what her four-year-old granddaughter was
saying, Teresa felt like she was in the middle of a horrible nightmare. Almost
in a daze, she began to process what she was hearing.
Young Maria was explaining to her grandmother that her pelvic area hurt and
that her eight-year-old half brother had touched her while the two had been
visiting their father over the weekend. Eventually, it was uncovered that
the abuse had been more pronounced than what Teresa first believed and had
included acts of aggression and violence to four-year-old Maria at the hands
of her half brother.
Teresa was stunned. For a moment, it was though time had stopped as she listened
to what she was being told. The soft-spoken grandmother and legal guardian
of Maria immediately took her granddaughter to the emergency department, not
knowing where else to turn. There was no sign of physical injury so the medical
staff referred Teresa to Child Protective Services.
During the interview with CPS, the counselor explained that since the abuse
had taken place in Wilson County, the family must address the issue with the
Wilson County division of Child Protective Services. Teresa contacted the
Wilson County CPS agency and it was there that she first learned of the Rape
and Sexual Abuse Center (RASAC).
“We went to RASAC and I met with them first,” explained Teresa.
“They patiently explained to me how they work with the child victims,
using puppets and play acting to get them to express things that they don’t
understand themselves.”
At the RASAC, Teresa finally felt safe and surrounded by people who understood
her worry and her granddaughter’s pain.
“Everyone there was so warm and supportive,” Teresa said. “You
just don’t realize how much abuse is going on out there and to have this
service available meant so much to us.”
Statistics show that one in three girls and one in six boys will be sexually
abused by the time they reach the age of 18, according to RASAC. The center
provides individual counseling to children who have seen sexually abused or
raped. The type of therapy used depends on the child’s experience and
the specific needs of the child, and may include play therapy, art therapy,
cognitive therapy, or behavior therapy.
Maria met weekly with a RASAC counselor over the course of three months. Teresa
was comforted by the support offered in abundance by the staff of the center.
She was equally impressed with the skill and experience of the counselors
who immediately grasped Maria’s situation and developed a customized
therapy plan for her. RASAC recommended that Maria would likely need counseling
around seven years of age, at the onset of puberty, as she begins dating,
and as she reaches sexual maturity.
In addition to providing counseling to Maria, the counselors of RASAC also
met with members of the young girl’s family, including Teresa and her
daughter, Maria’s mother. RASAC offers counseling to non-offending parents,
or guardians, of children who have been sexually abused, helping those individuals
cope with their emotions regarding their child’s abuse. It is very common
for parents to feel guilty and to blame themselves in such a situation. Additionally,
parents are given strategies to aid their child in coping with the trauma
of abuse.
“They were able to prepare us for certain things. They told us that there
might be changes in her behavior and there have been,” Teresa said. “We
see the temper outbursts and notice that she doesn’t have a lot of patience,
but knowing that she might act this way has helped is deal with it. Without
the advice and preparation from the counselor, we might just assume that she
was acting spoiled or being stubborn, but now we know that she is reacting
to what happened to her and we can handle her behavior appropriately.”
In addition to the initial therapy and recommended follow-up sessions, the
counselor also advised Teresa to bring Maria back at any point if the family
noticed any drastic changes in her behavior, reminding Teresa that the services
are always there for her. RASAC maintains ongoing contact with all families
who ever receive treatment and encourages families to interact with one another
as a means of support.
Teresa noted that all of the services provided by the center are free to families.
As long as the child needs assistance, all counseling services for are offered
at no cost.
Through the timely intervention of RASAC and plentiful support of her family,
Maria is doing well. Counselors have reassured Teresa that, due to her young
age and the counseling that was provided, there is a chance that Maria may
not suffer long-term damage as a result of her abuse. Teresa remains grateful
to the center that was there for her family in their time of need.
“They were the only bright light in during that dark time,” Teresa
said with emotion in her voice. “You’re in the company of people
who know exactly what you’re thinking, exactly what you’re feeling.”
For Teresa, the Vanderbilt Community Giving Campaign has hit close to home
and she and her family are grateful for it. Teresa has learned to never take
anything for granted, especially when it comes to the unexpected needs of
your family.
“You just never know when you’re going to need this kind of help.”