On November 9, 2011, HHCD received a grant for $9,000 from the Emerging Philantropists of New Orleans’ Healthcare Team to provide mental health counseling services in St. Bernard Parish to residents that have been affected by the BP Oil Spill. “We were very honored to be awarded this grant by EPNO,” stated Executive Director, Freddie Landry.  “These funds will enable our organization to continue to provide much needed services in a community that has been hard hit in recent years because of Katrina and the BP Oil Spill.  We genuinely applaud this energetic group of young professionals that have achieved such rapid growth and success in three short years.  EPNO is making an impact in the Greater New Orleans community and we consider it a privilege to have this partnership with them.”

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Q & A

Question:  We have just discovered that our child has been sexually abused. We are devastated! What can we do to help our child?

 Answer:  Sexual abuse is an epidemic in our society. By the time a young woman reaches 18,  one out of four will have experienced some form of abuse, and one out of seven boys will have been abused.  Although there are many forms of abuse, as well as length and frequency, even one episode of abuse can lead to lifelong consequences.  Because of the seriousness of abuse, parents need to know how to handle this situation.

 To begin with, it actually is a good thing that the abuse has been discovered while the child is still young.  Most survivors carry the secret and shame of their abuse for many years, suffering alone while never telling anyone. So, knowing about the abuse takes away the power of the secret.

 Secondly, if the child has told you about the abuse, then the child is able to begin the process of healing while still young, instead of what normally happens – victims usually report abuse after experiencing a lifetime of difficulty.

 Third, the most important part of helping your child is to make sure that your child knows that you believe her/him and that it is not her/his fault. Many times a child has been “groomed” by the abuser and may have been told all kinds of things to keep the child from telling about the abuse. It takes a lot of courage and trust in the parent for a child to be able to tell what has happened.

 Fourth, as angry and upset as you understandably are, try to protect your child from your emotions. Seek out professional help to assist you as you grieve through this process. It is very important that you focus as much nurturing and positive attention on your child as possible.

 Fifth, seek out professional help immediately. If you live in an area with a children’s advocacy center, then call that center. It will be important that someone who is trained in sexual abuse talk and examine your child as soon as possible. The advocacy centers, like theAudreyHepburnAdvocacyCenterinNew Orleans, are trained to help families go through the difficulties of abuse. Taking your child to the pediatrician or an emergency room is another option. You can call a hotline to ask questions and to find local resources.  Possible numbers are 1-800-799-SAFE, 1-800-656-HOPE, or 1-800-4-A-CHILD, which is the national hotline for sexual abuse.

 Finally, try to keep life as normal as possible, such as routines and discipline, and choose carefully who you talk to about the episode. Again, find a professional Christian counselor trained in this area to walk with you family towards restoration.

Michele Louviere, LMFT, serves as Clinical Director of Celebration Hope Center, a ministry of Healing Hearts for Community Development (HHCD).  You can connect with Michele and learn more about how HHCD is bringing help, hope and healing to New Orleans by visiting www.healingheartsnola.org.