Resources and Help

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The statistics 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.

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.

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.

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 1/2% (one-half%) of the time.

Consequences

Consequences of child sexual abuse begin affecting children and families immediately. They also affect society in innumerable and negative ways. These effects can continue throughout the life of the survivor so the impact on society for just one survivor continues over multiple decades. Try to imagine the impact of 39 million survivors (in the US).

Health and/or Behavioral Problems

The way a victim’s family responds to abuse plays an important role in how the incident affects the victim.

Sexually abused children who keep it a secret or who “tell” and are not believed are at greater risk than the general population for psychological, emotional, social, and physical problems often lasting into adulthood.

Children who have been victims of sexual abuse are more likely to experience physical health problems (e.g., headaches).

Victims of child sexual abuse report more symptoms of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), more sadness, and more school problems than non-victims.

Victims of child sexual abuse are more likely to experience major depressive disorder as adults.

Young girts who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders as adolescents.

Drug and/or Alcohol Problems

Victims of child sexual abuse report more substance abuse problems. 70-80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol use.

Young girls who are sexually abused are 3 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders or alcohol and drug abuse in adulthood, than girls who are not abused.

Among male survivors, more than 70% seek psychological treatment for issues such as substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide. Males who have been sexually abused are more likely to violently victimize others.

Adolescent victims of violent crime have difficulty in the transition to adulthood, are more likely to suffer financial failure and physical injury, and are at risk to fail in other areas due to problem behaviors and outcomes of the victimization.

Teenage Pregnancy and Promiscuity

Children who have been victims of sexual abuse exhibit long-term and more frequent behavioral problems, particularly inappropriate sexual behaviors.

Women who report childhood rape are 3 times more likely to become pregnant before age 18.

An estimated 60% of teen first pregnancies are preceded by experiences of molestation, rape, or attempted rape. The average age of their offenders is 27 years.

Victims of child sexual abuse are more likely to be sexually promiscuous.

More than 75% of teenage prostitutes have been sexually abused.

Crime

Adolescents who suffer violent victimization are at risk for being victims or perpetrators of felony assault, domestic violence, and property offense as adults.

Nearly 50% of women in prison state that they were abused as children.

Most perpetrators don’t molest only one child if they are not reported and stopped

 Nearly 70% of child sex offenders have between 1 and 9 victims; at least 20% have 10 to 40 victims.

An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime.

MORE INFORMATION: SILENCE is the number one enemy to preventing childhood sexual abuse.

Sexual assault continues to be the single most under-reported violent crime in the United States. (2003)

1794 rapes were reported to Colorado  law enforcement in 1997.

Compared to 1998 statewide survey, these constitute 16% of sexual assaults.

US has the highest rape rate of countries that publish statistics:  

4 times higher than Germany, 13 times higher than England, and 20 times higher than Japan (1992)

Girls age 16-19 are four times more likely than the general population to be victims of sexual assault.

It is MYTH that we can recognize abusers: in more than 90% of SA cases, the child and child’s family know and trust the abuser.

Pedophiles report and evidence confirms that they systematically groom not only the child, but the family as well.

For women in the U.S., rape is more common than smoking.

Colorado DOC reported 85% of incarcerated sex offenders self-reported they knew the person they victimized.

2009 Study of incarcerated DV offenders 80+% self-reported sexual coercion as part of their domestic violence.

In Colorado, 41% of sex offenders in outpatient treatment admitted they sexually re-offended while in treatment.(2000)

Secondary Responses to SA include:

Dissociation, Eating Disorders, Self-harm (cutting, burning, risky behaviors) Substance Abuse.

Age of Abuse:

1 in 3 sexual assault  victims are under age 12; 43% of those are 6 and younger; 83% of male victims of sexual assault are under age 12 (Wings statistics)

Prevalence of PTSD:

Adult Americans 7.8%; Men 5%; Women 10.4%; Vietnam Vets 30.9%; Female Rape Survivors 60%