Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina

Zina Ponsell

*Trigger warning for all podcasts due to sensitive topic*

This podcast is for adults about child sexual abuse prevention and related topics hosted by Zina Ponsell.

Zina has a long history of working with children. She started her journey with a BA in Sociology as a Resource Coordinator for a Prekindergarten in 1997, where she assisted families and their children with daily life struggles. While working at the Prekindergarten, she began volunteering at a Rape Crisis/Child Advocacy Center with the thought in mind if any of her 100 Prekindergarten children found themselves needing a forensic medical exam due to allegations of child sexual abuse, she would be a familiar face as the volunteer advocate to assist 'her kids' and their families through this stressful time of uncertainty.

In 2004 Zina transitioned over to a fulltime position as the Victim Advocate at the Rape Crisis/Child Advocacy Center, where she remained employed in working with child and adult victims of sexual abuse until 2018.
Through the years Zina wore several hats which included Child Forensic Interviewer, Extended Forensic Interviewer, Children's Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator and Prevention Education Coordinator, following her initial position as Victim Services Coordinator.

As Prevention Education Coordinator, Zina trained thousands of children of all ages in six different school systems and communities, and adults, on Sexual Abuse Prevention.
This podcast is a product of years of extensive sexual abuse prevention trainings and working directly with child victims of this ongoing crime against our children.
It is our job as adults to protect all children. As the saying goes, knowledge is power.
Zina welcomes adult male and female listeners to her podcast. There are many adult survivors of both genders of this childhood trauma. We hope in some way these podcasts help you too.

You are invited to email Zina at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions you would like included in future podcasts, dropping every Thursday beginning April 2024, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness month.

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Kids & FamilyKids & Family

Episodes

Review of Mental Health Issues Possibly Related to Child Sexual Abuse
May 23 2024
Review of Mental Health Issues Possibly Related to Child Sexual Abuse
Send us a Text Message.Your mental health is a part of your physical health and is very important, as you are. Since  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, it was decided we would focus on the importance of knowing the different mental health issues that could possibly be related to child sexual abuse trauma and the huge significance getting help can make, even if the traumatic event occurred many years ago. The three articles reviewed provide the different mental health problems that could be linked back to CSA. The articles are from RAINN, Psychology Today and Darkness to Light, and the review of a study by Marija Burgi Radmanovi called MENTAL DISORDERS IN SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN from the University Clinic Center of Republic of Srpska, School of Medicine. Some of the content of these articles overlap, however that just signifies the validity of the content. If you're a survivor of child sex abuse, please get some help. RAINN and MHA phone numbers and websites are listed below and can provide you with the assistance you need...or answer any questions you may have. Please take care of YOU!Thanks for listening!ZinaJoin our private facebook group called Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina for additional information, resources and discussion. Email me at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you! Every 9 minutes a child is sexually abused (RAINN).The RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website is www.rainn.org, or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 24/7 to receive services for current or past sexual assault. RAINN is for any age victim of sexual abuse. Mental Health America is another great resource for you (703)-684-7722, www.mhanational.org.Some educational websites on child safety: Darkness to Light www.d2l.orgradKIDS www.radKIDS.orgNetsmartz www.netsmartz.org www.netsmartzkids.org www.nsteens.org
Introducing the Body Safety Chat to your Child
May 2 2024
Introducing the Body Safety Chat to your Child
Send us a Text Message.This episode is just what the title states...and more.  While communication with your child is still key in keeping them safe, information on teaching body boundaries is provided for you on what to do and what not to do (Santa Clause/family example).A segment on how to teach your child the name of their anatomy is discussed. Children need to know this in the event they need to tell you something involving their body, or someone else's body. Safe and unsafe touches are discussed.  Examples are provided throughout this episode on what to say to your child if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable, regardless of who it is and any age.  Additional examples will follow in future episodes. This episode is geared towards educating young children on child sexual abuse prevention.Thanks for stopping by!ZinaJoin our private facebook group called Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina for additional information, resources and discussion. Email me at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you! Every 9 minutes a child is sexually abused (RAINN).The RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website is www.rainn.org, or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 24/7 to receive services for current or past sexual assault. RAINN is for any age victim of sexual abuse. Mental Health America is another great resource for you (703)-684-7722, www.mhanational.org.Some educational websites on child safety: Darkness to Light www.d2l.orgradKIDS www.radKIDS.orgNetsmartz www.netsmartz.org www.netsmartzkids.org www.nsteens.org
Communicating with Your Child about Physical Problems Possibly Associated with Child Sexual Abuse
Apr 25 2024
Communicating with Your Child about Physical Problems Possibly Associated with Child Sexual Abuse
Send us a Text Message.Hi Everybody!This episode picks up where the previous episode left off from talking about visual physical indicators, moving forward, to physical problems you cannot see, as a possible result of child sexual abuse. An introduction to Child Advocacy Centers is discussed. A reminder is provided to have a child seen by a doctor if any physical indicators are exhibited, to medically treat the child and to discuss the possible sources of the physical problem. Sample questions on speaking to a child about physical problems such as anxiety, headaches, and more are presented. The importance of listening to your child on a daily basis and being there for them are also discussed...and more!Quotes from the Darkness to Light Training workbook are included (d2l.org). This is the last episode published in April, Child Abuse Awareness Month. Don't forget to wear blue in honor of our children!There is a surprise at the very end. Can you decipher it? Send me a message and tell me what the words are! Don't forget to join our private facebook group! csapreventionbyzina@gmail.comThanks again for listening!Z Join our private facebook group called Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina for additional information, resources and discussion. Email me at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you! Every 9 minutes a child is sexually abused (RAINN).The RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website is www.rainn.org, or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 24/7 to receive services for current or past sexual assault. RAINN is for any age victim of sexual abuse. Mental Health America is another great resource for you (703)-684-7722, www.mhanational.org.Some educational websites on child safety: Darkness to Light www.d2l.orgradKIDS www.radKIDS.orgNetsmartz www.netsmartz.org www.netsmartzkids.org www.nsteens.org
Do's and Don'ts when Inquiring with your Child About Possible Sexual Abuse
Apr 18 2024
Do's and Don'ts when Inquiring with your Child About Possible Sexual Abuse
Send us a Text Message.Welcome to our 3rd episode of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina. Consider this episode an introduction in speaking with your child regarding signs of possible child sexual abuse they may be exhibiting. This episode provides a sample scenario of a physical sign indicator of possible child sexual abuse on a younger child, and how to gently inquire with the child about where the physical indicators stemmed from. The next few episodes will sprinkle additional information on speaking with different age children about possible physical and/or behavioral indicators, and the importance of it.  The 'Do's' in this episode are: Do remain calm when speaking with your child Do listen to your childDo thank your child for telling you, whether it was related to a sexual abuse incident or something else, like accidently sitting in an ant bed creating physical indicators, as in our scenario (you'll have to check out this podcast to find out where that came from),Do tell the child I believe youDo tell the child they are not in trouble with youDo tell the child it wasn't the child's faultThe 'Don'ts' in this episode are:Don't scream and yell at your child trying to gather informationDon't put words or a possible offender's name in your child's head. IF something happened, the child often will tell you, or the forensic interviewer, through gentle questioning.Don't ask why. Why didn't you stop them? Why did you wear...? Why were you there? Why did you let it happen? The word 'why' immediately puts blame on the victim.  Don't punish the child for not telling you what you 'want' to hear. What happened to the child may have nothing to do with sexual abuse. Don't blame your child.Email me at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions or comments. Looking forward to hearing from you!Have  a blessed day!ZinaJoin our private facebook group called Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina for additional information, resources and discussion. Email me at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you! Every 9 minutes a child is sexually abused (RAINN).The RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website is www.rainn.org, or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 24/7 to receive services for current or past sexual assault. RAINN is for any age victim of sexual abuse. Mental Health America is another great resource for you (703)-684-7722, www.mhanational.org.Some educational websites on child safety: Darkness to Light www.d2l.orgradKIDS www.radKIDS.orgNetsmartz www.netsmartz.org www.netsmartzkids.org www.nsteens.org
Host Introduction, RAINN and Child Safety Websites
Apr 4 2024
Host Introduction, RAINN and Child Safety Websites
Send us a Text Message.Episode 1 provides a detailed introduction of your podcast host, Zina Ponsell.  Additionally, information on the National Sexual Assault 24-hour Hotline called RAINN, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, was introduced as a resource for any adult survivor of child sexual abuse. The RAINN website is www.rainn.org or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) to receive services.Three educational websites on child safety were also discussed.Darkness to Light         www.d2l.orgradKIDS                             www.radKIDS.orgNetsmartz                           www.netsmartz.org                                                   www.netsmartzkids.org                                      www.nsteens.orgThanks for the visit! Follow us so you will not miss an episode.Join our private facebook group called Child Sexual Abuse Prevention by Zina for additional information, resources and discussion. Email me at csapreventionbyzina@gmail.com with any questions or comments. We would love to hear from you! Every 9 minutes a child is sexually abused (RAINN).The RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website is www.rainn.org, or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) 24/7 to receive services for current or past sexual assault. RAINN is for any age victim of sexual abuse. Mental Health America is another great resource for you (703)-684-7722, www.mhanational.org.Some educational websites on child safety: Darkness to Light www.d2l.orgradKIDS www.radKIDS.orgNetsmartz www.netsmartz.org www.netsmartzkids.org www.nsteens.org