HELP - explaining sexual violence to a 7-year old

[boggled]

I've changed my name for this to avoid potentially identifying the people involved.

Apparently a 7-year old boy in my child's Year 3 class was raped on a nearby housing estate. Some of the children know about this, and it's only a matter of time before my child hears about it, if he hasn't already.

I'm completely freaked out by this, but need to get my head together swiftish as I need to be prepared to discuss it with my ds.

Oh god, boggled, you poor thing. I have no idea how you explain this to a 7-yr-old. Sex in general is a bit hard to explain - assault on small girls is harder - assault on small boys is hardest of all. I hope someone can help.

Oh God, how horrible. Don't know what the right thing to do really is except I'd let the child take the lead - answer any questions as honestly (age appropriate) as possible without being graphic. Just along teh lines of "Something bad happened", "Some bad people hurt him" etc. I take it they have been caught and there's no further risk to any other children?

I really don't know the right answer, horrible situation.

Oh no, boggled. How utterly terrible. So sorry to hear this and wouldn't know what to say either. Does the school have any advice, or plans to bring counselling professionals or police liaison officers in to discuss this with the children? Would it be worth you chatting it through with somewhere like Parentline plus (0808 800 2222) before talking to your son? Wish I could think of something else- hope someone will be able to help.

Message withdrawn

No, this is not chinese whispers, it's been confirmed by the class teacher, although that's not who I originally heard it from.

The school is rubbish at discussing information with parents -- those children who were originally told (by the boy it happened to) were subsequently told not to discuss it with anyone, which the parents were understandably not too happy about, as the children thought they weren't even supposed to tell their families.

While I can understand that they don't want any more children knowing than is absolutely essential, surely it is harmful for children to feel they can't talk about things that are worrying them.

Oh dear God, my baby is 7

I think I would gloss over any sexual type details - I would just say that there are some bad people in the world who hurt other people, even children, and that is what has happened to this little boy. I would be as reassuring as possible that this is so rare, that your little boy is perfectly safe, and that nothing bad is going to happen to him.

I guess this other boy will come back to school sometime. Your son will need to know that this little boy will need extra kindness and consideration (it's a sad fact but if the rape is common knowledege amongst the kids there may be some teasing/bullying )

Above all just try and reassure your son that something like this is not going to happen to him - and answer any questions he has as honestly as you can (sparing him the more brutal details, obviously) .

You must be so shaken up...(((HUGS)))

Oh how awful. Sorry, no advice though.

oh god that is terrible. im sorry i have no good advice...i cant believe there are such evil bs in the world..awful.