[barbhuff]

We are being considered for a sibling duo-- girls ages 1 and 2-- here in our county. Seven months ago, we turned them down as foster parents when they came into care because we weren't ready to take in more after our babies were reunified with family.

Both children have been sexually abused. The oldest still does some acting out, I have been told, and the youngest suffers from genital herpes.

Any advice or resources will be greatly appreciated. I have no idea what kind of concerns I should have over the youngest's health issues. She has not showed any signs of the virus in quite awhile, but I know that it may in the future.

They are doing the matching on Monday, and we are currently the only candidate.

thanks!

Barb Huff

[Lilathe]

In my *personal* experience (which of course varies child to child) the children that were molested before aged two didn't really understand the sexual nature of the assaults.

What we have dealt with more so far has been more along the lines of what you would expect from a physcially abused child that was hurt during the first two years of life because of the lack of young children even understanding boundaries as of yet.

It depends on the type of molestation, what issues you will face with the children.
Pain during the first two years of life, especially when inflicted by a caregiver can lead to attachment disorders etc. The first two years of life are what all children build on for everything else. You might find it helpful to "relive" the infancy with the child so that they can redo all their stages in a safe, secure environment.

The children I have fostered or parented that were removed from their molestor before aged two appear to have no long term effects.
The longer they stayed with the molestor the more pronounced and long term the effects seem to be. Past aged 3 seems to be a turning point when the children start to realize it is "wrong" and not just a cruel adult, therefore having more long term lasting effects for the children.

I would talk to a counselor at a rape crisis center or a councelor that worked with molested children (check with a children's advocacy center for a good one).
The same techniques that work for physically abused and neglected children duing the first two years of life will be of benefit to molested infants as well.