30: Childhood Sexual Abuse

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 episode:

• 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 family.
• 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 childhood.
• 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 victim’s family.
• 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 disorders.
• 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 zip code.
• 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: victimsofcrime.org and www.rainn.org.