Statistics about Childhood Sexual Abuse, part 1

I’ve gathered a variety of information from a variety of sources to show the prevalence and seriousness childhood sexual abuse (CSA).  The stats aren’t exactly the same from source to source, but regardless of any small discrepancies, the numbers are still staggering.

The bottom line is that there is far too much sexual abuse in our communities.

An important element of protective parenting is being aware of this reality.  Automatically assuming your child is safe from sexual predators is dabbling in dangerous denial.  All parents must be fully aware that their own children are at as much risk as the next child.

Please note:  Your children are at the greatest risk from someone they already know.  Most children are not abused in “stranger danger” situations.

Once you truly understand how serious the risks are, it will become vitally clear to teach your children various prevention tips.

Your child’s safety matters!
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• Every day in the United States four children die as a result of abuse and neglect.  During 2006, 227 Texas children died as a direct result of abuse or neglect. (DFPS 2006 Data Book)
• Every ten seconds a child is victimized by abuse or neglect.  During 2006, in the State of Texas, 67,737 children were confirmed to have been victimized by abuse. Closer to home, in Collin County there were 4,155 children alleged to have been abused and 1090 children confirmed as abused. (DFPS 2006 Data Book)
• Prevent Child Abuse America reports that each year the (direct and indirect) cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States is in excess of $94 billion.
• A National Call to Action states that the rate of child abuse is ten times the rate of cancer.
• Almost 96% of children victimized by abuse know their offender; accordingly, less than 4% of children are victimized by a stranger.
• In Dallas County Texas a child is abused every eleven seconds.
• 33% of girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.
• 16% of boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.
• One in three sexual assault victims is under the age of 12.
• 43% of sexual assault victims are ages 6 and younger
• 34% of sexual assault victims are ages 7 to 11.
• 61% of female sexual assault victims are under 18.
• 83% of sexually abused boys are under age 12
• 26% of sexually abused boys are under age 6.
• In most cases, the child knew the sex offender. With girls, 29% were relatives and 60% were acquaintances. With boys, 16% were relatives and 44% were acquaintances.
• Physical force was not used in two-thirds of incestuous abuse.
• For 60% of “sexually active” girls under the age of 14, their only sexual experience has been a sexual assault.
• Children who grow up in a family where there is domestic violence are 8 times more likely to be sexually abused within that family.
• 90 to 95% of all sexual abuse cases are never reported to the police.
• Sexual abuse accounts for 13% of substantiated cases reported to local Departments of Social Services.
• Fabricated sexual abuse reports constitute 1 to 4% of reported cases. Of this, 75% of reports are by adults and 25% are by children.

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Sources:

http://www.cacplano.org/statistics.htm

http://www.dcac.org/pages/education_coalition.aspx

http://www.wingsfound.org/statsChildhood.html

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If you have any questions about these issues, please contact Kathy Broady LCSW at www.AbuseConsultants.com .