What can you do to prevent sexual child abuse
One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Parents and caregivers can take steps to protect and prevent sexual abuse of children
- Learn the facts and understand the risks. Realities – not trust – should influence your decisions regarding children.
- Minimize opportunity. If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you’ll dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for children.
- Talk about it. Children often keep abuse a secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.
- Stay alert. Don’t expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused. Signs are often there but you’ve got to spot them.
- Make a plan. Learn where to go, who to call and how to react.
- Act on suspicions. The future well being of a child is at stake.
- Get involved. Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse.
Further information on what you can do to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to sexual child abuse can be found at www.darkness2light.org.
Darkness to light offers online training for parents and youth serving providers. Darkness to light is a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent sexual child abuse and train adults to recognize its signs. Helpline: 1.866.367.5444
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE – THE FRIGHTENING STATISTICS
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before age 18
1 in 5 children receive a sexual solicitation while on the Internet
Most never tell
There are currently approximately 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in U.S.
More than 67% of all sexual assault victims are under 18
Median age is 9 years old
1 in 7 victims of sexual assault reported to law enforcement agencies is younger than 6
The "typical" abuser fits the following profile –
90% are male
90% are religious
75% are Caucasian
80% are/have been married
65% are middle income or above
50% are college educated
Family Members and Acquaintances account for 90% of child sexual abuse
The consequences to the victims and to society include
Teen Pregnancy
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Depression, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, and Anxiety
Eating Disorders
Debilitating Fear, Nightmares
Delinquency
Sexual Disorders, Prostitution
Increased Illness, Hospitalizations
Organizations catering to children and their families can reduce the occurrence of child sexual abuse by taking the following steps.
Pay Attention
Understand the Impact of child sexual abuse on society
Create Policies around Hiring, One-on-One situations, and Reporting
Train Employees/Volunteers how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse
To contact a Stewards of Children facilitator in your area or to arrange for Stewards instruction in your school, contact Julie Schneider at jschneider@d2l.org.
For media information, contact media@d2l.org
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