Q
I feel my daughter isn't telling me something! She is seven and is drawing graphic pictures of men and women naked, touching one another and kissing and licking one another's private parts. Last summer she told friends she did those things to her dad but denied it on police video tape. The year before she told me a boy out at her dad's did things to her but I couldn't do anything about it because the childrens' aid passed it off as exploration. I have talked to police, childrens' aid, counselors who she sees every three weeks, but all say I do not have enough proof to stop visitation and if I do my ex could charge me with breaking contract. What can I possibly do to get through to my child. She has to tell before I can get her the help she needs.
A
Your daughter's accounts of sexual activity with her dad and this boy are deeply disturbing. Her graphic sexual drawings would usually be interpreted as a sign of sexual abuse -- her way of acting out the confusing obsessive sexual thoughts and feelings she has.
Given her problems, seeing a counselor every three weeks is far too infrequent. I believe she needs to see someone who specializes in children's sexuality and abuse. Dr. Toni Cavanagh is such a specialist. I'd encourage you to contact her at her office in Pasadena, California. It would be worth a phone consultation to find out how you should proceed in this matter. It seems the law and these mental health professionals have not helped much. Your daughter is probably caught up in knowing she's been part of something wrong, yet I'd guess she will try to protect your husband based on his telling her not to tell what he's done to her. Please do not accept the present treatment of your daughter as adequate. She is clearly very troubled and this situation demands very skilled specialists to help her.
Keep me posted as to your progress.