Protective parenting includes being honestly and genuinely aware that your innocent, precious children have significant risks of being sexually abused by someone you know.  If you are motivated to increase your awareness of this issue and to learn more about the facts, your ability and effectiveness of preventing sexual abuse from devastating the lives of your children will be greatly increased.

The statistics about childhood sexual abuse are shocking:

• 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet.
• Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under.
• An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today.

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Even within the walls of their own homes, children are at risk for sexual abuse:

• 30-40% of victims are abused by a family member.
• Another 50% are abused by someone outside of the family whom they know and trust.
• Approximately 40% are abused by older or larger children whom they know.
• Therefore, only 10% are abused by strangers.

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Sexual abuse can occur at all ages, probably younger than you think:

• The median age for reported abuse is 9 years old.
• More than 20% of children are sexually abused before the age of 8.
• Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under 12.

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Most children don’t tell even if they have been asked:

• Evidence that a child has been sexually abused is not always obvious, and many children do not report that they have been abused.
• Over 30% of victims never disclose the experience to ANYONE.
• Young victims may not recognize their victimization as sexual abuse.
• Almost 80% initially deny abuse or are tentative in disclosing. Of those who do disclose, approximately 75% disclose accidentally. Additionally, of those who do disclose, more than 20% eventually recant even though the abuse occurred.
• Fabricated sexual abuse reports constitute only 1% to 4% of all reported cases. Of these reports, 75% are falsely reported by adults and 25% are reported by children. Children only fabricate ½% of the time.

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http://www.darkness2light.org/KnowAbout/statistics_2.asp

Statistical information provided by Darkness to Light, a national nonprofit 501c3 organization and initiative – a primary prevention program with the mission of reducing the incidence of child sexual abuse through public awareness and education.  Specific references available upon request.

Darkness to Light’s public awareness campaign seeks to raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse. Their ads are a “call to action” encouraging adults to call or go online for free materials that educate adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.

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If you have questions or concerns about how the issues of sexual abuse are affecting you or your family members, please contact Kathy Broady LCSW at www.AbuseConsultants.com .