Apr 29, 2016
This is Part 2 of a series about
Sexual Assault Awareness, and today’s focus is on Childhood Sexual
Abuse. Let’s jump right into our topic!
What you’ll hear in this
- Childhood Sexual Abuse is “a
form of child abuse including sexual activity with a minor who is
not capable of consenting.” Remember that a child CANNOT give
consent to sexual activity!
- Childhood Sexual Abuse is not
always physical contact, but can include digital/online
interaction, fondling, exhibitionism, child pornography, sex
trafficking, and much more.
- In 93% of cases, the sexual
abuser of a child is someone known to the child or the
- Most statistics under-represent
the frequency of occurrence, but 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys will
be sexually abused during childhood.
- Up to 20% of adult females and
5-10% of adult males have been sexually abused during
- Being abused makes it more
likely to be sexually assaulted later in life.
- Most offenders are male, with
about 33% being juveniles.
- There is a “grooming process”
used by the abuser to draw the child into a sexual relationship,
and usually, the abuser will fill roles of trust and value in the
- The effects of childhood sexual
abuse are emotional problems, mental health issues, behavioral
problems, and academic problems.
- The effects can also include
PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicide, and eating
- Many times these behaviors are
not recognized as signs of sexual abuse.
- Protect children by showing
interest in their lives, knowing the people in their lives, and
knowing caregivers especially well.
- Background checks and the sex
offender registry are NOT foolproof!
- Know the warning signs, both
physical and behavioral.
- Know how to ask questions to the
child and how to respond without judgment and blame.
- Report abuse to the police or to
Child Protective Services.
- Call the Child Help National
Abuse Hotline: 1-800-422-4453
- Help is available at sexual
abuse crisis centers. Visit centers.rainn.org and search by
- Be sure to find a therapist with
specific training in the field of sexual abuse. Not all therapists
are qualified to help in all areas.
- Other resources include: