THE STATISTICS:
How do you define child sexual abuse?
Child
sexual abuse is forced, tricked, or coerced sexual behavior between a
young person and an older person. Sexual abuse may consist of any one
of the following acts: nudity, disrobing, genital exposure, observation
of the child, kissing, fondling, masturbation, oral-genital contact,
child pornography, digital penetration, and vaginal or anal
intercourse.
Is the perpetrator always older than the victim?
There
is no rule governing the age range between a victim and a perpetrator.
However, when the perpetrator is under 18 years of age, often an age
discrepancy of five years has been required to verify cases of sexual
abuse where no force was involved.
Is it true that one in four girls and one in ten boys are abused prior to age 18?
While
many estimates have been made, the national incidence rate of sexual
abuse remains unknown. The estimate that one in four girls and one in
ten boys are abused prior to age 18 became widely known simply from
being repeated.
Who are the perpetrators of sexual abuse?
Generally,
children are sexually abused by adults who are related to them or known
by them or their families. Looking at a number of retrospective
surveys, results have indicated that no more than 10% to 30% of the
offenders were strangers. In sexual abuse cases committed against
females, approximately one third to one-half of all perpetrators were
related to the victim. Only about one-tenth of the abusers were related
to their male victims. Acquaintance perpetrators are the most common
abusers, constituting approximately 70-90% of all reported
perpetrators. In addition, males are reported to be the abusers in 80%
to 95% of cases. Perpetrators of sexual abuse are not only adults. Many
clinical settings currently are witnessing a dramatic increase in the
number of adolescent offenders who have committed sexually aggressive
acts against other children.
What is the average age at the onset of sexual abuse?
The
most vulnerable age for sexual abuse is between 7 and 13 years.18
Reported victims of sexual abuse are most often children of school age,
although cases have been documented from infancy to adulthood.
What types of children are more likely to experience sexual abuse?
Sexual
abuse occurs among all groups of the population. It happens to children
in both rural and urban areas and in all socioeconomic and educational
levels, and across all racial and cultural groups. Statistics indicate
that girls are more frequently the victims of sexual abuse, but the
number of boy victims is significant. Estimates suggest that males
account for 25% to 35% of child sexual abuse victims. Research has
found that the absence of a parent from the home increases the child's
risk. In addition, interviews with perpetrators suggest that they look
for vulnerable children. Such children are young and appear to be
isolated, depressed, or lonely.
Source: Prevent Child Abuse America
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| Support our Youth |
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| INFORMATION FOR TEENS:
How do I tell what touching is bad?
Everyone
likes to be hugged or touched by someone they care for. But there are
some kinds of touching that are not considered good for kids. Some of
this kind of touching might feel good. Some of this kind of touching
might feel bad or even hurt. If you aren’t sure about a touch, talk to
a trusted adult about it.
What kind of kids are sexually abused?
Any
kid can be sexually abused. It can happen to boys or girls. It can
happen to big kids or little kids--no matter how young or old, weak or
strong. It is estimated that 1 in 5 kids is sexually abused.
Who abuses kids?
Most
adults care about kids and never sexually abuse them. But some people
have serious problems and think it is okay to be sexual with a child.
Sometimes a sexual abuser is a stranger, but usually a sexual abuser
would be someone you know. It might be your parent, or step-parent, or
a teacher, or a neighbor, or a minister or a friend of your parents. It
might be someone in your family, or someone that you like a lot.
Why would someone do this?
Someone
who sexually abuses a child has a problem, and needs help. People can
do bad things--even nice people. It is sometimes hard to believe that
someone we love or who is nice to us can sexually abuse us.
Is it my fault if this happens to me?
Never.
Some kids blame themselves, but they shouldn’t. Adults sometimes use
tricks like telling you that you are bad and that this is why this
happened. Also, the attention can sometimes seem nice. Maybe this
person gives you really good gifts or money when he or she wants to
touch you. Maybe this person is very gentle when he or she wants to
touch you. Maybe it is the only time he or she is “nice” to you. But
whether it is violent or gentle, it is very, very wrong and it must be
stopped. No matter what, if you are being sexually abused, it is never
your fault.
How can I stop it?
The
best way to stop sexual abuse is to talk about it. Sexual abuse is
against the law. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO KEEP IT A SECRET! Even if the abuse
only happens once, or seems like it’s over, it’s important to tell. The
person who abused you will probably try to do this to many other boys
and girls. There are many people who can help you and help the abuser,
if you tell them what has happened.
Will anyone believe me?
Yes.
There are many adults who will believe you and who will help you. Some
adults may not want to believe that you could have been abused. Some
adults may tell you to forget about it. If this happens to you, find
someone else to tell. Keep telling until someone listens.
What will happen to the abuser if I tell?
A
person who sexually abuses children needs help. Some abusers can get
counseling. If the abuser is someone in your family, you may see less
of him or her for awhile. Because sexual abuse is against the law, some
abusers might go to jail.
Source: Children's Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis
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