Lecture on Sexual Neglect and Awareness

Introduction

• Speaker shares personal anecdote about setting boundaries and teaching children about private spaces.
• Speaker is a counselor trained in trauma and sex addiction, as well as a sexual trauma survivor.

Key Concepts

Sexual Neglect

• Definition: Lack of age-appropriate discussions about sexual development, consent, and body safety.
• Not the absence of sexual engagement, but the absence of education.

Importance of Awareness

• Comparison to teaching children to cross the street: setting boundaries and expectations for safety.
• Sexual neglect can lead to addiction, mental health issues, and unhealthy self-perception.

Statistics and Concerns

• 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys experience sexual trauma by age 18.
• Half of these cases involve child-on-child interactions due to sexual neglect.
• 92% of sexual trauma involves someone known to the victim.
• Rise of online exploitation with increased technology use among children.
• Average age for exposure to pornography: 8 to 11 years.
• Less than 15% of parents have rules for device usage.

Call to Action

Steps to Combat Sexual Neglect

1. Awareness: Engage in conversations about the issue.
2. Education: Use available resources (books, podcasts, speakers) to educate children and communities.
3. Therapy: Encourage therapy for recovery from trauma.
4. Communication: Foster open, trusting dialogues with children about sexual health and safety.

Speaker's Personal Motivation

• As a sexual trauma survivor, the speaker finds healing through therapy and sharing experiences.
• Encourages others to recognize and recover from sexual neglect or trauma.

Opportunities for Change

• The speaker emphasizes the availability of new resources to stop the cycle of sexual neglect.
• Encourages prevention or recovery as means to break the cycle.

Vision for the Future

• Aim for a society where adults, families, and children are comfortable with sexuality and personal safety.
• Promotes a vision where individuals can protect themselves both online and in person.

Conclusion

• Encourages those living in shame to seek out hope and recovery.
• Motivation to become the light in the darkness by building a supportive community around these topics.