Programs & Services

Healing, Support, & Safety for Survivors

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Counseling

Education

Prevention

Advocacy

Counseling

Restoring Hope, One Session at a Time

Every child deserves the opportunity to heal from trauma in a safe and supportive environment. Our licensed therapists provide expert, evidence-based counseling to help children and families process their experiences, build resilience, and regain control of their lives.

Education

Education & Support

Empowering Parents and Caregivers with Knowledge

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation. We provide families with the education and support they need to navigate the emotional and practical challenges of child sexual abuse. Through expert-led resources, we help caregivers become strong allies in their child’s recovery.

Prevention

Education and Intervention for a Safer Future

Preventing child sexual abuse requires proactive education, awareness, and intervention. Our prevention programs equip children, families, and professionals with the knowledge and tools to recognize and prevent abuse.

Advocacy

Collaboration for the Best Possible Outcomes

We believe every child deserves justice, protection, and a path to healing. Through strong partnerships with law enforcement, legal professionals, and community organizations, we ensure that children receive the support and advocacy they need.

Counseling

Education

Prevention

Advocacy

Counseling

Restoring Hope, One Session at a Time

Education

Empowering Parents and Caregivers with Knowledge

Prevention

Education and Intervention for a Safer Future

Advocacy

Collaboration for the Best Possible Outcomes

Comprehensive Therapy & Support to Help Heal

The Children’s Center for Hope & Healing provides specialized therapy for children, teens, and adults impacted by child sexual abuse. Our licensed therapists use evidence-based methods such as play therapy, art therapy, and cognitive-behavioral interventions to help even the youngest survivors heal.

We work closely with families to create safety plans, teach self-protection skills, and reduce trauma symptoms—ensuring a path to recovery for every child.

It's important to get help

Understanding Childhood Sexual Abuse

Unfortunately, many children never tell about sexual abuse and recognizing the signs or symptoms of sexual abuse can be difficult if not impossible since some children show no signs at all and others show signs that are non-specific and could indicate a number of other problems.

If a child does disclose, how a parent, school teacher, counselor, or other adult responds is extremely important and can make a big difference in a child's recovery and long-term outcome.

Young girls who are sexually abused are 3 times more likely than girls who are not abused to develop drug or alcohol abuse problems or psychiatric disorders in adulthood.

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Why Children Don't Tell

Why do some children stay silent?

There are many reasons that children often do not tell that they are being sexually abused. These reasons often include:

Lack of words to describe the abuse

Fear of threats or harm to loved ones

Guilt, shame, or misplaced responsibility

Loyalty or love for the abuser

Belief that they won’t be believed

Learned helplessness from ongoing trauma

Need to better understand why children don't tell about their sexual abuse? Keep reading

Often younger children do not have the words to express what has happened to them. Sometimes this is a matter of they do not have the words to name their own body parts. Other times, they may not have any words for the actions they have experienced.
Younger children may not be aware that what they have experienced is wrong.
Abusers may threaten the child or threaten people that the child loves. An abuser might say something like "if you tell anyone, I'll kill your little sister."
Children may care about their abusers, especially since the majority of abusers are known to the child.
Children may not wish to get their abusers in trouble or may not wish to upset their parents.
A child may feel responsible for the abuse he or she has suffered for a number of different reasons. Abusers are almost always very manipulative people. They may convince a child that the child has participated willingly or they may have given the child special gifts, favors, or attention that the child feels guilty about having accepted.
An abuser may have engaged in a process of gradual desentization or "grooming" in which a child's defenses are worn down. This can increase a child's sense of guilt about participation.
Often when children do tell, they tell only part of the story to test an adult's reaction or to work up their courage to tell the whole story.
The child may believe that no one will believe them.
The child may be depressed as a result of the abuse.
The child may have "learned helplessness" from the abuse.
The child may be obeying the directions of the abuser, especially if the child has been taught to follow the directions of adults.
The child may lack the maturity to know how to handle the situation.

Be Aware

Possible Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Many children who have been sexually abused exhibit no signs or symptoms at all! Many of the symptoms of child sexual abuse such as depression, sleep problems, or anxiety are also symptoms of many other possible problems. The lists below are not exhaustive. Some children may experience unusual symptoms. The symptoms below are simply some of the most common.

Physical Signs

Possible Sexual Abuse

Torn or stained underwear

Pain on urination

Pain or itching in genital area

Is pregnant or has a sexually transmitted disease

Swelling or redness in genital or rectal area

Possession of unexplained gifts or money

Signs of intoxication after spending time with an adult

Behavioral Signs

Possible Online Sexual Exploitation

Hiding CD's or other electronic storage devices.

Spending time online late at night

Child quickly closes or changes the computer screen when an adult walks in the door

Unusual credit card charges for websites

Behavioral Signs

Possible Sexual Abuse

Sleep problems

Depression

Anxiety

Delinquency

Bed wetting*

Academic failure

Nightmares

Unusual interest with sex

Feeling their body is dirty

Seductiveness

Cutting

Bulimia/anorexia

Attachment disorder

Unusual aggression

Avoidance of some places or adults

Attempts to be unattractive

Children who are overly compliant, over-achieving

* in children who previously did not have a problem with bed wetting

If you or Someone You Know Needs Help

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please call 911.

You can also make a report of suspected child abuse by calling the office of your local Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) or by calling the prevent child abuse hotline, toll-free: 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373).

Call 1-800-CHILDREN

To Receive Help From Our Services

To receive help from one of our program services, simply call (770) 532-6530 or fax a referral form to 770.532.7111.

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Programs & Services

Healing, Support, & Safety for Survivors

Counseling

Restoring Hope, One Session at a Time

Education & Support

Empowering Parents and Caregivers with Knowledge

Prevention

Education and Intervention for a Safer Future

Advocacy

Collaboration for the Best Possible Outcomes

Restoring Hope, One Session at a Time

Empowering Parents and Caregivers with Knowledge

Education and Intervention for a Safer Future

Collaboration for the Best Possible Outcomes

Understanding Childhood Sexual Abuse

Why do some children stay silent?

Possible Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

If you or Someone You Know Needs Help

To Receive Help From Our Services

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