Important Facts:
- 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.
- 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.
How do I know?
- Evidence that a child has been sexually abused is not always obvious, and many children do not report that they have been abused. Only 1 in 10 children disclose their abuse.
- 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.
Longterm Effects:
- Health and Behavioral Problems: Sexually abused children who report their abuse and are not believed or do not receive appropriate care are at greater risk for psychological, emotional, social and physical problems throughout their lifetime. It is extremely important to react calmly, appropriately and remain supportive if a child reports abuse.
- Drug and/or Alcohol Problems: Victims of child sexual abuse are at greater risk for developing drug and alcohol related problems. Reports indicate that as many as 80% of sexual abuse survivors use drugs and/or alcohol excessively.
- Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Health: Girls who are victims of sexual abuse at a young age are three times more likely to become pregnant before their 18th birthday. Reports indicate that as many as 60% of teenage pregnancies are preceded by sexual abuse and/or rape by a significantly older male. Statistics show that more than 75% of teenage victims of sexual trafficking (commonly referred to as teenage prostitution) have been sexually abused in their past.
- Crime: Reports indicate that almost half of all incarcerated women report sexual abuse as a child and over 75% of serial rapists report child sexual abuse as well.
- Many Victims – One Perpetrator: Seventy percent of child sex offenders report having between one and nine victims. Twenty percent report having as many as 40 victims. Serial child molesters may have as many as 400 victims in their lifetime.
