What to do if a traumatic event happens to your kid

A sexual assault between two children on a Dripping Springs ISD playground led to an unexpected challenge for the child's parents; What do should parents do in that situation? How can they handle things in a way that doesn't further traumatize their kid?

If you are in distress or need someone to talk to, please call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A sexual assault between two children on a Dripping Springs ISD playground led to an unexpected challenge for the child's parents; What do should parents do in that situation? How can they handle things in a way that doesn't further traumatize their kid?

Chelsea Romero, a licensed clinical social worker supervisor and senior director of programs at Austin Child Guidance Center, works to provide therapy for children and families, as well as train school staff in handling child trauma.

She said that, from what KXAN reported, the child's parents handled it well.

"Whenever a child makes an outcry like that, it's best for the parents to put the child first," Romero said. "Definitely follow up with the school, make sure that [the child] gets the medical care that they need. And I would definitely get either the police and CPS (child protective services) involved in that situation."

On the other side of the situation, Romero recommends therapy for any child who assaults another child.

"Just to work through some things that may have prompted that behavior, or if nothing else, just to reinforce that that behavior is not appropriate, and why it's not appropriate," Romero said.

Romero provided additional advice for parents and other adults watching over children:

• Praise the child for telling you what happened;
• Reinforce that what happened was not the child's fault;
• Watch for behavioral changes, such as avoiding things they enjoy or a sudden slip in grades;
• Make sure authorities and parents are informed of what happened; and
• Start therapy as soon as possible.

"These moments can be very scary and overwhelming," Romero said. "I would just recommend, support all around -- support from family members, parents, peers."

Traumatic events can also indirectly impact other children, who may see adults acting differently or having conversations about the affected child. A younger sibling may not have developed enough to understand what is happening, but it is still important to tell them that something happened, Romero said.

"Just let them know that something happened, instead of hiding things, and them finding out later or hearing at school that something happened," said Romero, adding that parents don't need to give kids all of the details.

Teaching about consent and boundaries is a way that parents can preemptively protect their children, Romero explains. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has a webpage "Safety Support for Parents" that provides additional resources and guidance for parents.