Childhood Sexual Abuse and the Foster Care System

Conversations With Elizabeth is a podcast and video series discussing issues pertaining to childhood sexual trauma, healing, and wellness.

Tonight Elizabeth welcomes Mckenzie Grove, a fellow advocate and foster care parent of sexually abused children.

Sexual Abuse and Foster Care - The importance of saying yes/ “A victim does not a perpetrator make”/Breaking the stigma

o John Hopkins University study: children in group/residential/congregate homes 28x more likely to become a SA/trafficking victim compared to the rate of 4x for a child in a regular foster home (compared to peers)

o More than 50% of sex trafficking victims recovered in FBI Nationwide raids were children in OOHC with the majority being residential/group home placements.

o 2019 studies reported rates as high as 80% of girls involved in human trafficking had been in the child welfare system.

o No Such Thing Campaign- rights4girls in Washington D.C.- these are victims NOT criminals -

Disclosure: how to handle at the moment with the child
o Do not ask too many questions (can be considered leading/coaching)
o Verbalize understanding with compassion
o Keep emotion limited (the child needs calm and composure)
o Affirm that you believe the child
o Contact the caseworker asap (write down exactly what the child told you)
o Contact Child Abuse Hotline - Resources: you are not alone
o Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act Law in 2014 requires state agencies to screen all children in their custody for trafficking and connect youth with appropriate services.

o Need for fundamental systemic change at this point- resources, while funded, are limited geographically or unknown to foster homes (better training and education needed)
o MOSAC
o EmpowerSurvivors
o Darkness to Light
o Natalie’s Sisters (trafficking)
o Refuge for Women (trafficking)
o R&C Worker o GAL/CASA
o Therapist (EMDR, equine, PCIT)
o CAC Therapy sources - Integration into the Community/Schools
o IEP and 504
o Guidance Counselor - Advocating for the Sexually Abused Child
o Be their voice but do not tell their story - The importance of Believing in a survivor
o Sex Abuse is the darkest of secrets. Most often the story is told in bits and pieces. Sometimes what is told can seem beyond comprehension.
Regardless believe them.

​www.empowersurvivors.net/