Frequently Asked Questions
What is child
sexual abuse?
When a child is involved in sexual activity for the satisfaction of an older or more powerful person, it is considered child sex abuse.
Children are unable to give informed consent due to their immaturity and lack of understanding of sexual matters. When an authoritative figure forces a child to engage in sexual activities that are beyond their developmental stage, it constitutes abuse.
How many kids get sexually abused?
In America, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are abused before age 18.
Sexual abuse is one of the most common health issues affecting children. Children experience sexual victimization at higher rates than adults, and various factors such as family structure, race, socioeconomic status, location, and prior history of abuse significantly influence these statistics.
Who are the
predators?
Opportunity is the key for child sexual abusers.
Pedophiles manipulate trust with kids and their caretakers, a process often referred to as ‘grooming.’ In 90% of cases, the victims know their attackers, with 30% being family members, 40% older or more powerful children, while in some instances, children are kidnapped or deceived by members of sex trafficking operations.
Where do
pedophiles attack?
Approximately 80% of these attacks occur in a home, either the victim's or the perpetrator's.
Offenders often target children through the internet, with 1 in 25 attempting in-person contact over a year. At least 25% of 10 to 17-year-olds experience unwanted exposure to pornography. Unfortunately, schools are common locations for the spread of these issues.
Why is YOUR
child at risk?
If you're not watching your child closely all the time, they could be at risk of sexual abuse.
Children can come across inappropriate content from their peers, get contacted by online predators, or even experience abuse from adults you thought you could trust. Sadly, many kids don’t talk about it, and when they do, it often happens long after their parents are no longer around.
What are the consequences?
The list is endless.
School failure and delinquency. Post-traumatic stress. Depression. Suicidal tendencies. Extreme disobedience. Fighting. Sexual behavioral problems/promiscuity. Chronic headaches. Substance abuse. Crime. Teen pregnancy. Eating disorders. Cancer. Diabetes. Stroke(s). Heart problems. Hypertension. HIV.