Child Sexual Assault
Rape Crisis Line Advocates help concerned adults learn more about the system, explore their options, and discuss ways to support the child victim/survivor.
Page Contents
The Clark Case: Resources | Reporting Options | Helpful Responses | What Not To Do | Warning Signs | Referral & Support
The Clark Case: Resources
If you have information or think something may have happened to your child, you may call the Iowa City Police Department, and ask to speak to Detective D.J. Steva at 356-5284.
There are also several local agencies that are prepared to help you. When you call, let them know that your child attend(s/ed) Lemme or Grant Wood Elementary Schools and that you have some questions or information, would like emotional support, or need a referral.
- United Action for Youth (UAY) 338-7518
- Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP): RVAP Crisis Line (24 hrs.) 335-6000
- Mid-Eastern Iowa Community Mental Health Center (CMH) 338-7884
UAY, RVAP & MEIMHC will all accept calls related to this case. We are prepared to provide immediate counseling slots, sometimes the same day. UAY and Community Mental Health will inform parents and youth of their mandatory reporting obligation, so that they might choose not to provide their name or other information. UAY will see anyone expressing concern about this arrest, from age 5 yrs to 20 years, including offering therapy to victims.
RVAP will also see anyone and are especially skilled with adults who may be struggling with their own abuse issues in light of this disclosure. UAY & RVAP can offer free services through our funding from IA Dept. of Justice, Crime Victim Assistance Division. Community Mental Health can also see anyone, and are offering two free sessions to anyone related to this case. Callers can just say they need assistance related to the recent arrest of the school counselor.
Confidentiality
Any kind of sexual abuse of a child under 12 years of age at the time the crime happened requires that a report be made by any counselor, therapist, teacher, or medical professional who has knowledge of the crime. UAY and RVAP are prepared to talk with you and help you sort out your options, even if you choose not to give your name.
The following are some helpful resources for parents and other family members:
Parent's Fact Sheet on Child Sexual Abuse
Family Safety Plan
The following are helpful resources for school personnel:
A Brief Guide for Responding to Victims and Families
When a Counselor or Co-Worker Is Charged With a Sex Offense
The following are helpful resources for parents, concerned community members, and school personnel:
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention for Faith Communities
Age Appropriate Sexual Behavior
Signs an Adult Is At Risk to Harm a Child
For more detailed information on child sexual abuse, including: safety planning with your child, what is healthy sexuality in children, and how to keep kids safe, visit Stop It Now.
Reporting Options
Child sexual abuse may be reported to:
- Local Department of Human Services office
- Iowa Child/Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline, 800.362.2178
- Local law enforcement
Professionals who are mandatory reporters may use this DHS Reporting Chart to help them determine how best to report suspected abuse. Remember never to assume another professional has made the report, and when in doubt, call the Department of Human Services for clarification.
Helpful Responses
Keep calm. Children may perceive anger at or disgust with the perpetrator as being directed towards them.
Believe the child. In most cases, children do not lie about sexual abuse. Let the child know that you believe her/him. Reassure the child that the abuse was not her/his fault.
Listen to the child. Let him/her tell you what happened in his/her own words. Expect that the story may not be complete and that more details may come out as time goes by.
Seek medical attention. The child may be suffering internal injuries that are not noticeable. A medical exam can also provide valuable evidence.
What Not To Do
Overwhelm the child Do not stand over him/her or invade his/her space. Do not pressure the child to talk. Remember, you are not trained to interview a child victim/survivor.
Make promises Don’t make promises that you are not sure you will be able to keep. Don’t promise things like: you will never be hurt again or the offender will, or will not, go to jail.
Confront the offender Confronting the offender, especially in front of the child, may be harmful or even dangerous. Leave this to the proper authorities.
Warning Signs
Because most children cannot or do not reveal sexual abuse, it is up to concerned adults to recognize the signs. None of these behaviors alone indicate abuse, however a combination of these over a period of time may strongly indicate that the child is being sexually abused.
Common signs of child sexual abuse:
- Physical complaints; “stomach” ache
- Fear or dislike of certain people or places
- Extreme changes in behavior
- Depression and withdrawal
- Sleep disturbances; nightmares
- Regression to infant-like behaviors
- Age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters
- Excessive masturbation
- Frequent genital infections or irritation
- Difficulty with bowel movements, urinating, or swallowing
In older children, you may see additional behaviors, such as:
- Self-mutilation
- Eating disorders
- Suicide attempts
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Sexually victimizing other children
- Discipline problems
- Running away
- Promiscuity
- Pregnancy
Referral & Support
To report abuse, contact the Department of Human Services (DHS) office in your area or call the Child/Dependent Adult Abuse Hotline at 800.362.2178 and ask them to page the on call social worker in your area.
For more information on helping children heal from child sexual abuse, visit the Healing page on our site.
For more detailed information on this topic, including: safety planning with your child, what is healthy sexuality in children, and how to keep kids safe, visit Stop It Now.
Concerned adults need all the support, encouragement and information they can get. Remember, you don’t have to take this on alone, and you’ll support the child better if you are getting support for yourself. A trained advocate is available on the Rape Crisis Line at 335.6000 or Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 800.284.7821 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
