Lutheran Social Services San Bernardino County

Your support lends a hand to each and every child!

Our Children Project is one program at LSS Community Care that has been healing sexual abuse victims and their families for over 25 years.

"Since starting the program my daughter has learned to cope a lot better. She now knows that she is not the only one that the abuse has happened to.  Kids talking to kids has made her feel not so alone in her feelings."

Families often experience the impact of sexual abuse in every area of their lives—emotionally, mentally, financially, physically and spiritually. The therapy groups for the victims as well as the parent/caregivers are designed to alleviate the trauma while healing and developing healthy growth in any/all of the above areas of need. 

Children as young as four struggle to untangle the web of sexual abuse. Most often the offender is a “trusted” family member or a family friend. Their confusion, shame and guilt comes from the need for the older person to be their supporter not their “hurter”.

Turning the blame on themselves is a “safer” belief than placing the rightful guilt on the one who they desperately want to “trust”. 

"I understood that it is not my fault, it was their fault." 

One girl recalls that she was at fault because her stepfather asked her to touch him; another boy explained that he should not have “let” his mother’s boyfriend talk him into doing sexual acts. Many children regret that they did not say “no” or tell someone. The child “keeps the secret” to not upset their parent, to not tear up the family, to keep others safe who have been threatened by the perpetrator if the secret was told.

"If it weren't for this group I would be in a shell. For a long time I didn't have friends. I would sit alone, but coming here opened me up and allowed people to come in."

As the professionally trained therapists help the children untangle this web of abuse in their groups, their parents/caregivers learn with their therapist new ways to parent children with often long-term trauma in their short lives. 

"My daughter and I have been coming to this LSS program for about 1 1/2 years. This Program has educated me more than I thought it would. I have learned techniques for dealing with my daughters history of abuse and parenting skills."

The average age for entry into the program is 5 to 7 years old. Boys and girls are engaged in groups for as long as needed to reach their goals. Play therapy, crafts and activities are important tools in the healing process. 

Developing their own strength, positive self-worth, healthy personal boundaries, better communication skills are but a few of the positive outcomes for the children and the parents.

"This place is best because you do activities" 

Many of the families live in poverty struggling with transportation, basic needs and handling the many special needs of the children affected by sexual abuse. As an agency that emphasizes social services, these needs, beyond therapy are addressed whenever possible to strengthen and assist the total healing of the child and family.

"I have noticed a lot of changes, changes for the better"

*Quotes above from Our Children Project children and parents/caregivers.

Please help and give what you can to impact the lives and futures of Our Children.