Child Molestation: An Interview with Ken Siegmann LMFT

According to research, "It's estimated that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before age 18, and there are about 39 million sexual abuse survivors in the U.S." This is an alarming number of child molestation. To help understand child molestation I have interviewed licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Ken Siegmann.

Tell me a little bit about yourself.
"I am a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in Roseville, California. That means I can do most things a Psychologist can do in California. I have an M.A. in Psychology from the Institute of transpersonal Psychology, where I focused on the relationship between grief and healing."

"I trained for two years at the Giarretto Institute in San Jose, CA, which pioneered the treatment of family sexual abuse. I'm also certified in Process Therapy and trained in EMDR - a type of treatment for trauma and anxiety."

"I specialize in working with adults and teens who were abused or molested, as well as other types of trauma, and issues related to grief, loss and terminal illness.
I believe everyone has the capacity for healing and wholeness. It's just that sometimes we need a little help along the way."

What is child molestation?
"Child molestation generally refers to sexual abuse of children. This can include anything from inappropriate touching to incest and sexual violence. It is a traumatic form of child abuse that can have lasting affects that go on for years. Just one or two incidents can be very traumatic for a child."

What are the signs and symptoms of child molestation?
"Children and adolescents who are being sexually abused may show symptoms that include: "Nightmares or other sleep problems, such as insomnia or night terrors, unusually aggressive behavior toward friends, family members or pets, excessive masturbation, refusing to eat, eating compulsively or has unexplained gagging, sudden mood swings - anger, rage, fear, insecurity, withdrawal, bed wetting, vaginal bleeding before it's age appropriate, refusal to speak about a secret shared with an older friend or an older child, shows adult-like sexual behavior, language or information, pain, discoloration or discharge in genitals, anus or mouth, persistent or recurring pain during urination or bowel movements, wetting or soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training."

For Younger Children: "Bed wetting or thumb sucking, resists removing clothes at appropriate times - bed, bath, diapering, toileting, asks other children to behave sexually or play sexual games and mimics sexual behaviors with toys or stuffed animals."

For Adolescents: "Self-injury - cutting, burning, or piercing, inadequate personal hygiene, drug and/or alcohol use, sexual promiscuity, running away from home, depression, anxiety, suicide attempts and fear of intimacy or closeness."

What type of impact does child molestation have on a child?
"Molestation is extremely traumatic. It takes away a child's sense of safety, which is extremely important. It is also extremely confusing, since it often happens at the hands of someone a child knows, loves and trusts. Children, who are sexually abused experience tremendous anxiety, have trouble trusting and forming relationships with others and often feel that they are somehow dirty or damaged."

What type of help is available for a child who has been molested?
"There are many therapists available who work with children and teens who were molested or otherwise sexually abused. In some communities there are programs available that include individual, group and family therapy. You can do a Google or Yahoo search for therapists in your area. You can also go to Psychologytoday.com or Networktherapy.com to find therapists in your area who specialize in molestation. You may also ask your child's school or your family doctor for a recommendation."

What advice would you like to leave for a parent whose child was molested by someone else?
"The single most important factor affecting a child's recovery from abuse is how parents respond. The disclosure of abuse is often a trauma that rocks an entire family. It's important that parents don't let their own trauma and grief over the abuse hinder efforts to get help for their children. I've worked with many adults who are still struggling years after they told a parent they were being abused and the parent either did nothing or didn't believe them."

"If you believe or suspect your child is being molested, contact your family doctor for an examination and a test for sexually transmitted diseases. Doctors are mandated by law to report child abuse. But you should also contact your local Child Protective Services agency. Get help quickly. Contact a therapist and get your child into counseling. And get counseling for yourself. This is a serious trauma for the whole family."
"Abused children are robbed of the safe container that they need. Parental response can go a long way to restoring that container."

Thank you Mr. Siegmann for the interview. If you would like more information or have any questions you can contact Ken Siegmann at (916) 367-2105 or check out his website at
www.insight-counseling.org.