Comfort Tea

<p>ARE YOU READY TO TAKE THE COUCH??&nbsp;</p> <p>Rape is one of the most underreported violent crimes, according to the Department of Justice, regardless of the victim’s sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion or class. But as a group, African American women are the least likely to break the silence.</p> <p>Child sexual abuse impacts more Americans annually than cancer, AIDS, gun violence, LGBTQ inequality, and the mortgage crisis combined. Child sexual abuse is&nbsp;the abuse that occurs in the institution that predates all others: the family. Incest was the first form of institutional abuse, and it remains by far the most widespread.&nbsp;One in three-to-four girls, and one in five-to-seven boys, are&nbsp;<a href="http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/agencies/police/community/abuse.html">sexually abused</a>&nbsp;before they turn 18, an overwhelming incidence of which happens&nbsp;<em>within</em>&nbsp;the family.</p> <p>Ninety-five percent of teen&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rapeis.org/activism/prostitution/prostitutionfacts.html">prostitutes</a>&nbsp;and at least one-third of female prisoners were abused as kids. Sexually abused youth are twice as likely to be arrested for a violent offense as adults, are at twice the risk for lifelong mental-health issues, and are twice as likely to attempt or die from teen suicide.&nbsp; Incest is the single largest factor between drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, teenage and adult prostitution, criminal activity, and eating disorders.</p> <p>How can we help our children or adults who come forward and confide in you about abuse? The first thing is to listen, not to ridicule or interrogate them in a way that makes them feel ashamed and do not victim blame.</p> <p>If the abuse is recent, take the child to the ER for immediate health care.&nbsp; The child should also see their pediatrician. If they are adult age and disclosing abuse that occurred as a child, strongly encourage them to seek mental health treatment.</p> <p>Here are some local resources:</p> <p>Of course, Comfort T