Often times as educators, we find ourselves coming across topics that are difficult to address with our students. We wonder what the appropriate way would be to address an issue so bold. In my opinion, the best way to address this would be through children’s literature. These books are written in a way that would teach them about the difficulties of life in their own language. In particular, the issue of sexual assault and abuse is something that should be addressed and understood, by both educators and our students.
According to The National Center for Victims of Crime, children typically experience sexual assault between the ages of 7 and 13. There are more extensive statistics regarding child sexual assault, but the most important takeaway from this for educators is that our children are very much susceptible to this horror, and we need to be as prepared as we can be.
For our younger elementary students, it may be more challenging for us to notice signs of sexual abuse. This article called The Problem of Child Sexual Abuse: A Guide for Elementary Teachers by Cindy Gissy Merrilees reviews a case scenario and the effects of an assault on the child, detection and reporting procedures, and counseling strategies.
“No Means No!” by Jayneen Sanders is a very powerful way to address the issues of consent and personal boundaries to elementary students. This children's’ picture book follows a youth girl with a very empowering and clear voice about these issues. I think reading this book to our younger crowd would help them find the confidence they need to speak up when they are in a situation where they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
For middle school children, I would strongly recommend introducing them to the multiple award winning book “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson. I read this book a few years ago, and it was incredibly inspiring. The book follows a girl named Melinda who is outcast by her fellow schoolmates after calling the cops on a party. Little did they know, she was sexually assaulted and needed help. During the school year, she struggles to speak and cannot seem to find her voice. She uses her art class to express herself and along with a very supportive teacher, she is able to eventually find her voice again and recreate herself, while finally dealing with her trauma and assault.
Along with our students’ safety, this topic follows the North Carolina Standard of contributing to the academic success of students. Students who are dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault are simultaneously battling safety and confidence issues, and in most cases, depression. Trying to succeed academically with these struggles would be difficult for any person, let alone a child. I think with the right guidance and resources, we can help our students regain their inner confidence, self esteem, and have them back on the right track towards personal and academic success.
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