Worried About Your Own Thoughts And Behaviors
At Stop It Now! we receive many inquiries from adults who are worried about their sexual thoughts and feelings towards children, and who want to take responsibility for keeping children safe. Recognizing a sexual behavior problem in yourself can feel frightening and lonely. Being honest with yourself about risky behavior is the first step towards staying safe.
It takes strength to ask for help when you need it.
Living a double-life of lies and secrets is a burden that can be lifted. There are places to turn to for relief. You cannot do this alone, help is available. If you are troubled or distracted by sexual thoughts and activities that include children, we can help you find help to stop -- starting now.
Start a safety plan.
No excuse justifies the sexual abuse of a child. Here you can learn how to start a safety plan today so things don’t get any worse, and reach out for help to stop the feeling of being out of control. We can help you get the facts and plan your next steps to get help.
Keys to Prevention
Being honest with yourself about some very difficult personal issues allows you to address behaviors that can be harmful to you and to a child. When adults who are at-risk to sexually abuse a child can stop making excuses for the behavior, or justifying it as “no big deal,” they are able to begin to take responsibility for what is really happening. By holding yourself accountable for any sexual behaviors with children, you are able to move towards stopping the harm and starting your own recovery.
Legal Information and Facts
Having more information about what could happen next makes it easier to make informed decisions about what steps to take now. To learn about the law and legal impacts on individuals, you can talk confidentially to a lawyer. Being prepared and knowing what options you have and what decisions must be made will enable you to make the best choices so that abuse never happens and everyone can get the help they need.
Keys to Warning Signs
By acknowledging behaviors and signs in yourself that can lead to harm to children, you are able to take the first courageous step in preventing sexual abuse.
- Warning Signs that You May Need Help with Troubling Online Activity
- Tip Sheet: Fifteen Questions About Your Own Behavior
- Tip Sheet: Signs An Adult Is At-Risk To Harm A Child
- Tip Sheet: Behaviors To Watch Out For When Adults Are With Children
Safety Planning
Taking responsibility includes taking steps to insure the safety of a child and for yourself.
Keys to Getting Help
Learning to stop disturbing thoughts or sexually harmful behavior is rarely something that can be accomplished alone. By breaking your isolation you can reach out for help to change your behaviors and live a healthy and productive life. Treatment for sexual behavior problems is available from professionals who understand adults who struggle with these issues. Having the support and "tough love" of friends and families can help you through the process of completing treatment and staying safe.
- How to Ask for Help When You are Troubled by Your Thoughts about Children
- Help for Adults Concerned About their own Thoughts or Behaviors
- How Can I Find Confidential Help?
- Adults Who Have Sexually Offended or Feel At-Risk Need Very Specialized Help
- Adults At-Risk To Abuse - Frequently Used Resource List
Treatment and Support
Treatment for sexual behavior problems is available from professionals who understand adults who struggle with these issues.
- How to Ask for Help When You are Troubled by Your Thoughts about Children
- Help for Adults to Stop Abusing
- Adults Who Have Sexually Offended or Feel At-Risk Need Very Specialized Help
- How Can I Find Confidential Help?
- Child Pornography: Getting Help to Stop
- Adults At-Risk To Abuse - Frequently Used Resource List
- Advantages of Coming Forward if You Have Abused Someone
Legal Information and Facts
Having more information about what could happen next makes it easier to make informed decisions about what steps to take now. To learn about the law and legal impacts on individuals, you can talk confidentially to a lawyer. Being prepared and knowing what options you have and what decisions must be made will enable you to make the best choices so that abuse never happens and everyone can get the help they need.
These columns are written by real people with real questions.
FAQs on Your Own Thoughts/Feelings