What reduces the risk of abuse recurring?
- Recognising that abusive behaviour is wrong, and taking action by seeking professional help.
- Learning to identify one’s emotional needs and developing better communication and coping skills for dealing with life stresses and setbacks.
- Support and understanding from the community that those who abuse children deserve help with their problems. This provides encouragement and hope, and reduces the stigma that existed in the past, and drove may people into denial through fear and shame.
- Detection of the abuse, or its precursors, as well as the acknowledgement of the offending behaviour, and acting on that by participating in treatment.
- Recognising risk factors, and taking steps to overcome them.
- Education that helps prospective perpetrators identify their emotional problems, history of vulnerability, and their coping style before they offend.
