Child Sexual Abuse

What is Child Sexual Abuse:

Any type of sexual interaction with a minor ( adult must be at least five years older than child ) .  Includes fondling touching of genitals,  any type of intercourse, oral,  sexual kissing, exposing private parts to child or any adult content videos, magazines etc.

Facts:

• It has been said that 1 out of 5 girls and 1 in 7 boys are sexually abuse in some way before the age of 18.
• Reported cases of child sexual abuse reached epidemic proportions, with a reported 322 percent increase from 1980 to 1990.
  Source: Sorensen & Snow, 1991.

About Perpetrators:

We teach our kids to stay away from strangers when in most of the cases a perpetrator is someone whom the child knows or trust.

• In about 30% of the cases the perpetrator is a family member father, brother, uncle etc.
• 60% of the time the abuser is an acquaintance  family friend, neighbor, sitter, teacher etc.
• Only in 10% of the cases the abuser is a stranger.

Signs of child sexual abuse: Take your child to a medical professional if you observe multiple signs that your child may have been sexually abused. abused.

• Suddenly increased sexuality
• Regression
• Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge
• Child may become depressed
• Bleeding in vagina or anus.
• Fear of a certain person.
• Abrupt change in behavior, uncharacteristic anger, isolation or withdrawal.
• Nightmares.
• Excessive masturbation.

How to reduce risk of Child Sexual Abuse:

• Tell your child to say no if someone attempts to touch your private area.
• Tell me if someone tries to touch you.
• Encourage your child to never keep secrets from you.
• Never tell a child to always  do what other adult figures say.
• See if your child's school has an abuse prevention program for teachers and children. If it doesn't, get one started.
• Give your child sufficient attention,  child will be less likely to seek out attention from other adults.
• Teach the difference between good touch and bad touch.
• Reduce number of caregivers.

What to do If you suspect or know  a child has been sexual abuse:

• Make sure you stay calm in front of the child.  Intense emotion may scare the child.
• contact the local child protection agency or police.
• Assure your child that what happened is not his/her fault.
• Tell the child that he or she is safe and will not be harmed.
• Arrange for a medical examination for the child.
• Seek mental health assistance for the child. Counseling might also help the provider too.
• Its the law report abuse to  either local law enforcement officials or child protection officials.

Again if you have any suspicion,  take your child to a medical professional if you observe multiple signs that your child may have been sexually abused. abused.