Home » What You Need to Know about Child Sexual Abuse
What You Need to Know about Child Sexual Abuse
20-25% of all children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday, often by someone they know. Unfortunately, feelings of shame, fear and powerlessness–coupled with a lack of trust that anyone can or will protect them–prevents 9 out of 10 children who are being abused from telling anyone what is happening to them; and those who do try to tell are often misunderstood, not supported or not believed.
Without proper care, the effects of childhood sexual abuse are devastating and life-long, causing many psychological and physical symptoms over the course of the survivor’s life. Some common side-effects of childhood sexual abuse include but are not limited to:
- depression
- suicidal tendencies
- self-injury/self-mutilation
- job and career issues
- low self-esteem or self-hatred
- shame and guilt
- sleep disturbances and disorders
- lack of trust
- revictimization
- flashbacks/PTSD
- dissociation
- sexuality and intimacy issues
- alcohol and drug abuse
- eating disorders
- long-term grieving
Through awareness and education, we can dramatically improve these statistics.
Children can be taught safe boundaries and behaviors; and what to do if someone is hurting them. Adults can gain a better understanding of this widespread social epidemic and how predators groom children for abuse, plus common symptoms of sexual abuse in a child and what to do if they suspect a child is being abused.
It is important to understand that child sexual abuse happens every day and causes serious, sometimes life-long effects.
It is equally important to understand: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Be a part of the solution
- GET THE FACTS in an easy-to-read, printable PDF from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Understanding is critical to a viable prevention solution.
- Protect the children in your life with these quick Rules to Remember.
- Learn the signs and symptoms of abuse.
- Create a safe environment for children to tell if someone is making them uncomfortable.
- Report suspected child sexual abuse to the police and any agency through which the abuser has access to children as part of their job or volunteer work.
Resources:
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about.html
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/pubs/cm05/cm05.pdf
https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens