Teaching kids how to recover from abuse can be one of the most devastating and heartbreaking experiences, but also one of the most rewarding. In rewarding, I mean it is wonderful to see a child come from the roots of despair to a point in which they learn that they can smile again, they can be happy, and they can be safe. You do not have to be a professional to assist in the process of recovery from abuse. You simply must care and have a desire to help a child who has experienced a traumatic experience in their life. If you find yourself in a position in which you are dealing with an abused child, the following strategies on teaching kids how to recover from abuse will assist you.

1. The very first thing that you should do when teaching kids how to recover from abuse is to gain an understanding of the different types of abuse that exist and learn as much as you can about what the child endured. There is physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, and emotional abuse. In most cases, different types of abuse may go hand in hand. The more that you know, the better chances you have in assisting a young child who is in the recovery process.

2. The next thing that you need to focus on is trust. It is quite likely that the abuse in which the child has suffered from has come through the hands of an adult that they were close to and initially trusted, such as a parent or other relative. It is not likely that they will be very trusting towards you if you are an adult. It will take time, and you should ensure that you are patient. When talking to the child, show them that you are worthy of their trust. Keep secrets that they release to you, share secrets about yourself. This will show them that you can be trusted.

3. When teaching kids how to recover from abuse, you must insist that it was not their fault and that they were innocent. Many children will blame themselves, and this reduces their level of confidence. You must ensure that you have informed the child that it was the adult that was at fault, and not their fault. Truly mean it, because it is so important that they understand this.

4. Next, let the child know that there is hope, there is a future. Now that the abuse is over, they have regained control over their lives and they should run with that control. Let them know that they can do anything within reason, they can become a brand new person and leave the abuse behind them. Typically, children are receptive to the whole “starting over” process that many adults go through once they have been subjected to traumatic and/or stressful events.

5. When teaching kids to recover from abuse, it is important to make yourself available at any time – day or night. They will eventually come to terms with what has happened to them. Once this occurs, they will be ready to discuss the issues that they have experienced. It is absolutely essential that someone is there when this occurs.

Teaching kids how to recover from abuse can be a challenging and time consuming task. However, if you take the time to follow the steps mentioned above, it is likely that you will be successful in your endeavors!