| What
is child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse is any interaction
between a child and an adult (or another child)
in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation
of the perpetrator or an observer. Sexual abuse
can include both touching and non-touching behaviors.
Touching behaviors may involve touching of the vagina,
penis, breasts or buttocks, oral-genital contact,
or sexual intercourse. Non-touching behaviors can
include voyeurism (trying to look at a child’s
naked body), exhibitionism, or exposure to pornography.
Abusers often do not use physical force, but may
use play, deception, threats, or other forms of
coercion to engage children and maintain their silence.
Abusers frequently employ persuasive and manipulative
tactics—referred to as “grooming”—such
as buying gifts or arranging special activities,
which can further confuse the victim.
Who is sexually abused?
Children of all ages, races, ethnicities,
and economic backgrounds are vulnerable to sexual
abuse. Child sexual abuse affects both girls and
boys across all neighborhoods, communities and countries
around the world.
How can you tell if a child
is being (or has been) sexually abused?
Children who have been sexually
abused may display a range of emotional and behavioral
reactions characteristic of children who have experienced
trauma. These reactions include:
• Increased occurrence
of nightmares or other sleeping difficulties
• Withdrawn behavior
• Angry outbursts
• Anxiety • Depression
• New words for private
body parts
• Sexual activity with
toys or other children
• Not wanting to be left
alone with a particular individual(s)
Although many sexually abused children
exhibit behavioral and emotional changes, many others
do not. It is therefore critical to focus not only
on detection, but on prevention and communication—by
educating children about body safety, by teaching
them about healthy body boundaries, and by encouraging
open communication about sexual matters.
Why don’t children
tell about sexual abuse?
There are many reasons children
do not disclose being sexually abused, including:
• Threats of bodily harm
(to the child and/or the child’s family)
• Fear of being removed
from the home
• Fear of not being believed
• Shame or guilt
If the abuser is someone the child
or the family cares about, the child may worry about
getting that person in trouble. In addition, children
often believe that the sexual abuse was their own
fault and may not disclose for fear of getting in
trouble themselves. Very young children may not
have the language skills to communicate about the
abuse or may not understand that the actions of
that perpetrator are abusive, particularly if the
sexual abuse is made into a game.
What can you do if a child
discloses that he or she is being (or has been)
sexually abused?
If a child discloses abuse, it
is critical to stay calm, listen carefully, and
NEVER blame the child. Thank the child for telling
you and reassure him or her of your support. Please
remember to call for help immediately.
If you know or suspect that a
child is being or has been sexually abused, please
call the federally funded Child Welfare Information
Gateway at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453) or visit
www.childwelfare.gov/responding/how.cfm.
If you need immediate assistance,
call 911.
Child Sexual Abuse Myths
and Facts Myth:
Child sexual abuse is a rare experience.
Fact: Child sexual abuse is not
rare. Research indicates that as many as 1 out of
4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will experience some
form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. However,
because child sexual abuse is by its very nature
secretive, many of these cases are never reported.
Myth: A child is most likely to
be sexually abused by a stranger.
Fact: Children are most often sexually
abused by someone they know and trust. Ninety-three
percent of reported cases of child sexual abuse
are committed by individuals who are considered
part of the victim’s “circle of trust.”
Myth: Preschoolers do not need
to know about child sexual abuse and would be frightened
if educated about it.
Fact: Numerous educational programs
are available to teach young children about the
difference between healthy and unhealthy touches.
These programs can help children develop basic safety
skills in a way that is helpful rather than frightening.
For more information on educating young children,
see Lets Talk About Taking Care of You: An Educational
Book About Body Safety, available at www.hope4families.com/Lets_Talk_Book_Information.html.
Myth: Children who are sexually
abused will never recover.
Fact: Many children are quite resilient,
and with a combination of support from their parents
or caregivers and effective counseling, they can
and do recover from such experiences.
Myth: Children are almost always
sexually abused by adults.
Fact: Surveys indicate that up
to one third of cases of child sexual abuse are
perpetrated by individuals under the age of 18.
While some degree of sexual curiosity and exploration
is to be expected between children of about the
same age, when one child coerces another to engage
in adult-like sexual activities, the behavior is
unhealthy and abusive. Both the abuser and the victim
can benefit from counseling.
Myth: Talking about sexual abuse with a child who
has suffered such an experience will only make it
worse.
Fact: Although children often choose
not to talk about their abuse, there is no evidence
that encouraging children to talk about sexual abuse
will make them feel worse. On the contrary, research
shows that treatment from a mental health professional
can minimize the physical, emotional, and social
problems of abused children by allowing them to
appropriately process their feelings and fears.
Tips To Help Protect Children
From Sexual Abuse
• Always teach children accurate
names of private body parts.
• Avoid focusing exclusively
on “stranger danger.” Keep in mind that
most children are abused by someone they know and
trust.
• Teach children about body
safety and healthy body boundaries early (in preschool)
and often.
• Teach children the difference
between healthy and unhealthy touches.
• Reinforce the message that
children always have the right to make decisions
about their bodies. Empower them to say no when
they do not want to be touched, even in non-sexual
ways (e.g., politely refusing hugs) and to say no
to touching others.
• Make sure children know
that adults and older children never need help with
their private body parts (e.g., bathing or going
to the bathroom.)
• Educate children about
the difference between good secrets (like surprise
parties—which are okay because they are not
kept secret for long) and bad secrets (those that
the child is supposed to keep secret forever, which
are not okay).
• Trust your instincts!
If you feel uneasy leaving a child
with someone, don’t do it. If you’re
concerned about possible sexual abuse, ask questions.
For more information, visit the National Child Traumatic
Stress Network (NCTSN) at www.nctsn.org.
THE BEST TIME TO TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT SEXUAL
ABUSE IS NOW.
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