Resolving Systemic Racism - An Important Piece of the Work

The kids are back in school! (Except the homeschoolers and immunocompromised)

For many families with school-aged children, today marks a significant covid milestone. Back to classes.

Over the past 5 months we have experienced constant change as we adjusted to new information and new public health protocols.  Over time we created some new social norms AND we’ve been challenging old social behaviours.

Like Systemic Racism

We’ve seen waves of collective dissatisfaction roll across the globe. We’ve made room for masks and distancing, but what are we going to do about the oppression and harm that is embedded in our being?

Child Sexual Abuse is Intertwined with Systemic Racism

It might sound like a stretch to link these two social challenges, but at Priority Kids we put protecting children as a top priority for a reason. Because we will never dissolve the hold that systemic racism has on us WHILE children are being sexually abused.

Think about some of the feelings and responses that occur when a child is sexually abused:

Fear

Shame

Hopelessness

Powerlessness

Guilt

Self-Hate

It’s difficult to imagine how widespread these feelings are, but consider the recent survey conducted in Alberta that found that 34% of children experience sexual abuse.

34%

Ever heard of the tipping point? When 10% of a population holds an unshakeable belief, the other 90% will adopt those beliefs.

So, 34% of our children are experiencing fear, guilt, hopelessness, powerlessness, shame and self-hate. And when 10% of people hold a belief, the other 90% will adopt those beliefs.

How often have we heard that racism is rooted in fear? Insecurity? Anger? Hate?

The prevalence of sexual abuse normalizes the feelings that fuel racism.

Let’s be clear. We are not suggesting that children who experience sexual abuse become racists. What we are pointing out is that the prevalence of sexual abuse normalizes the feelings that fuel racism. If we are going to successfully challenge racism, we must reduce the prevalence of these feelings. Especially in childhood.

Yes, we all need to be educated about racism. Yes, we need help to see how our actions allow racism to go unchallenged. We need support to challenge our assumptions and beliefs about racism. Addressing racism directly is essential.

But it’s not everything.

We need to give children a chance to grow up feeling secure and safe, loved and protected. So that children are able to be creative, open and confident.

Racism and child sexual abuse cause fear and immobility. They lead to constrictive thoughts and feelings.

We can counter systemic racism and child sexual abuse by creating an environment that fosters and encourages compassion, love and acceptance.

Those who have engaged in healing know that much of our recovery work is to release the constrictive habits, feelings and thoughts that developed from a need for self-protection and survival.

When those constrictions are released, then there is room for expansive habits, feelings and thoughts such as compassion, love and acceptance.

That’s why we are on a mission to eradicate child hood sexual abuse.

Rather than allow 34% of children to be faced with the daunting task of recovery, or the consuming effort of coping, we are working towards a time when people will be free to experience life in its fullness, unencumbered by the effects of trauma (including racism).

Eliminating child sexual abuse is nurturing the foundation we need to eradicate racism.

What other social injustices are fuelled by child sexual abuse? What other social benefits will we experience when child sexual abuse rates decline?

If you work in an organization that invests in equity, diversity, and inclusion, contact us to find out how prevention training supports systemic change.

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If the content of this article causes you distress or discomfort, please seek support.

Where to get help in Nova Scotia

Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868