The signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse must be carefully identified, the abuse stopped, with professional counseling provided for the child in order to offset long-term emotional and psychological effects of having been abused.
Child Sexual Abuse Statistics
Reported cases of child sexual abuse in the United States are estimated at 80,000 children each year, according to federal statistics. One in three girls will be sexually abused before she reaches the age of 18. One in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. Fewer than one in ten of these children will report the abuse. Most of these children will carry the emotional scars and guilt of abuse for the rest of their lives, and many (especially men) will sexually abuse others as adults.
What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse can be any sexual act performed with a child, to a child or in the presence of a child for the sexual gratification of another, ranging from unwanted touching, kissing to sexual intercourse. It can also involve solicitation, pornography, forcing, tricking, bribing, threatening, online enticements or pressuring a child into sexual activity.
Who Commits These Crimes?
Most sexual abuse is committed by people the child already knows such as friends, relatives, caregivers, trusted adults as well as complete strangers. Sexual abuse takes many forms and can involve forcing, coercing, bribing or threatening a child into sexual activity. The abuse often begins gradually and increases over time unless discovered.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
Physical evidence of abuse is rare, but may include bladder and urinary infections, scratching and painful genitals (especially during urination), torn, stained or bloody undergarments. While there is no one behavior that positively indicates a child has been sexually abused, sudden or extreme changes in behavior should be considered as a possible reaction to abuse. Some children may not show any changes in behavior.
The following are behavior changes that may occur in children who have been sexually abused:
- Fear or dislike of certain people or places
- Seductive or "sexy" behavior towards adults or peers
- Problems in school, poor grades
- Withdrawal from family, friends, or usual activities
- Advanced sexual knowledge for the child's age
- Regressed behavior, such as bedwetting
- Eating disorders, eating very little or excessive eating
- Hostility or aggressive behaviors
- Drug or alcohol problems
- Suicidal thoughts or attempts
Why Don’t Children Tell?
Most children don't tell even if they have been asked, refuse to talk about it or deny that something happened because:
- Are too young to put what has happened into words
- Were threatened or bribed by the abuser to keep the abuse a secret
- Fear that they will be taken away from their family
- Are afraid no one will believe them
- The abuser promised gifts or rewards for keeping the secret
- Blame themselves or believe the abuse is punishment for being "bad"
- Feel too ashamed or embarrassed to tell
- Worry about getting into trouble or getting a loved one into trouble
What Can Parents Do To Keep Children Safe?
- Remember, the person who abuses a child is to blame for the abuse, not the child!
- Always know the people who care for your children, including names, phone numbers and addresses.
- Be actively involved, carefully supervising your child‘s activities.
- Be sensitive to changes in your child’s behavior or attitude, paying close attention to your intuition indicating that something isn‘t quite right.
- Teach your child to listen to his or her intuition or “gut feeling” and communicate it to you.
- When your child tells you they do not like someone, ask them to tell you why and listen carefully.
- Teach your child that it’s okay to tell, no matter who, no matter what!
- Talk about safety and sex with your child, using proper names for genitals.
- Supervise and establish clear rules and guidelines for your child’s computer use.
- Educate yourself (read, listen and ask)
Be Sure to Report the Abuse to the Authorities
If you suspect abuse has occurred, call your local police department or the child abuse hotline for help.
Further Reading:
References:
www.darkness2light.org
Hammerschlag, 1996
Finkelhor, 1994
American Humane Association Children's Division
Lin Burress - Lin Burress is a freelance writer and a mother of six grown children. Lin has personal experience, knowledge and insights into matters of ...
