Coloring book
helps with sensi-
tive subject

A tool from the Sex Abuse
Treatment Center covers child
abuse and sex assault

By Helen Altonn
Star-Bulletin

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center has a gift for families of young children -- a coloring book titled "Let's Talk About Touching."

It's an educational resource to help parents discuss sexual assault with their children.

"Instead of sitting with children and talking to them about it, they tend to avoid it because it's uncomfortable and frightening," said Adriana Ramelli, the center's director.

"We wanted to create a tool that would allow a parent to sit with a child and in a fun way talk about a very difficult subject."

It's hoped this will have an impact on the number of child sex assault cases, which "just continue on," Ramelli said.

The true picture isn't known because many cases aren't reported, Ramelli said, but the center compiled these figures for 1997:

The state Human Services Department received 436 reports of family-related child sexual assault; 185 were confirmed.

The Children's Advocacy Center received 1,176 reports of child sexual assault.

The Honolulu Police Department reported 257 rapes on Oahu. An age breakdown wasn't available, but a national survey shows that six out of 10 rape cases occur before victims are 18, the center said.

The center in 1997-98 provided exams, counseling, information and prevention education services to 11,100 adults and minors.

Emergency exams within 72 hours of a sexual assault were given to 232 people, including 108 children. Sex abuse clinic medical evaluations after 72 hours were given to 78 children.

In the past fiscal year, the center provided services to a total of 14,564 people. Emergency sexual assault exams were given to 190 people, including 84 minors, and 57 children received exams at the sex abuse clinic.

An example from the Sex Abuse Treatment Center's
coloring book titled "Let's Talk About Touching." It is hoped
that the coloring book may give parents and children the
ability to talk about a difficult subject.

"We can never completely protect our loved ones from sexual abuse," says a "Note to Grown-ups" in the coloring book, "but with correct information, we can help them become safer. Keiki of any age need to learn about good, bad and secret touching."

The book has "grown-up notes" throughout to provide guidance, stress important points and encourage dialogue with a child.

A "Note to Keiki" says, "This book is for you. It's a book about feelings and touching that you can color and draw in. ... If you have trouble with any of the words or ideas, be sure to ask a grown-up for help. A great idea would be for you to share this book with one of your favorite grown-ups and have fun."

The Sex Abuse Treatment Center and the Queen Liliuokalani Children's Center produced the activity book with funding and support from the Sukamto Foundation Inc. and Island Heritage.

Yuko Green illustrated the book, which uses local characters, activities and scenery to discuss bodies, feelings and good, bad and secret touching.

The book emphasizes that "secret touching is never the keiki's fault" and if does occur, it helps to tell a grown-up.

Ramelli said, "It is our hope that this book will help educate children, as well as support child victims of sexual assault in their healing process.

"It also serves as a springboard for adults to begin discussion about a difficult but important topic with those they seek to protect."

Sexual assault affects the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of victims and contributes to community problems, such as drug and alcohol abuse, violence and arrests, poor school performance, teen pregnancy, prostitution, depression and suicide, the treatment center points out.

Counselors at the centers are using the coloring books with their keiki clients.

One free copy per family also is available for a limited time at the Sex Abuse Treatment Center at the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children.

For more information, call the center at 535-7600, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Adults who feel uncomfortable while reading the book with a child also may call the center's 24-hour hotline at 524-7273 with any questions or concerns.

On the neighbor islands, call (800) 656-4673 for the hotline of the nearest sexual assault program.

LOOK FOR WARNING SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE To help prevent child sexual assaults, adults should: Be aware of a child's environment. Communicate with the child. Be aware of signs that a sexual assault may have occurred, such as changes in behavior, appetite and sleep patterns; hints; fear of a certain person or place; sexual knowledge of behavior inappropriate for the age; withdrawal from family and friends; substance abuse; suicidal or self-injurious behavior. Remain calm if a child discloses sexual assault and acknowledge the child's courage. Believe the child, listen and be reassuring. Emphasize that whatever happened wasn't the child's fault. Assist the child in getting help. Services are available 24 hours a day. Call the Sex Abuse Treatment Center on Oahu at 524-7273. Call (800) 656-4673 on the neighbor islands for the nearest sexual assault program. Source: Sex Abuse Treatment Center