RESILIENCE

Resilience is the ability to cope with life’s challenges and hardships. Research has shown that up to half of the children who experience sexual trauma are resilient and will not show any long-term problems or symptoms. Although a child’s resilience is due in part to biological and genetic factors, it is also a quality that you can encourage. Resilient children often possess high self-esteem, the ability to recruit help and the belief that their actions can make a difference for the better. Below are ways in which you can foster resilience in your child after a sexual assault.

Encourage your child to develop a personal narrative of the events that includes a positive interpretation. For example, you can emphasize your child’s strength in surviving the betrayal of their trust, of coming forward and disclosing and of working hard to heal. When your child speaks of the abusive event, look for his or her underlying strengths and bring them into the conversation. Over time, your child will develop an abuse narrative that includes their courage and smart handling of a traumatic experience.
Demonstrate your support and love for your child at every possible moment. Studies have shown that a mother’s sensitivity to her abused child’s needs and support of her or his healing are key to increasing the child’s resilience. A supportive and caring father or other caregiver also has a profound effect on resilience and recovery. A sexually abused child builds strength from the love and support of family and community, including extended family members, the child’s friends, supportive teachers or other trustworthy adults.
Create opportunities for positive social support. The support can be from family members, the child's friends, supportive teachers or other trustworthy adults. Opportunities include mealtimes, family outings, activities with friends, holidays and other celebrations, gathering at places of worship and even quiet times spent together.
Encourage your child’s activities, especially in extracurricular activities at school such as sports or clubs. Allow opportunities for artistic expression and involvement with cultural events. Facilitate participation in spiritual and charitable outlets. Studies have also shown that involvement in these activities builds resilience.
Maintain a home environment free from any form of violence and substance abuse. These activities have been shown to reduce a child’s resilience
Encourage your child to talk about the abuse. Children who face a traumatic event and process its effect on them have the best chance of healing. Avoidance as a coping method is the least favorable means of handling an abusive experience.

Studies have found that increasing a sexually abused child’s self-esteem, strengthening the parent-child bond, providing positive school experiences, and participating in school activities such as sports and ensuring access to strong social supports will build resilience to the negative effects of sexual assault such as depression and anger.

RESILIENCE

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