SEXUAL

WHAT IS SEXUAL ABUSE?

DEFINITION:

Child sexual abuse is any interaction between a child and an adult (or another child) in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or an observer. Sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching behavior

FACTS:

*According to The American Academy of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry 80,000 child sexual abuse get reported each year and the unreported cases are much greater

*Children are most often abused by someone they know

*One out of four girls get abused and one out of six boys get abused before the age of 18

*According to The National Center for Victims of Crime, boys are more likely than girls to be abused outside of the family. A study in three states found 96% of reported rape survivors under age of 12 knew the attacker, 16 percent were relatives and 50% were acquaintances or friends

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE:

*Unusual interest in or all things of a sexual nature

*Sleeping problems or nightmares or other sleeping difficulties

*Wetting the bed

*Depression or withdrawal from friends or family

*Statements about their bodies being dirty, damage, fear that something is wrong with their private parts

WHY DON'T CHILDREN TELL?

*Fear of not being believed

*Fear of being removed from home or family

*Threatened by the sex offender

*Feel ashamed

*Feel guilty

*Feel fear for the safety of their family

*They refuse to go to school

*More knowledgeable about sexual language

*Not wanting to be left alone or left with a particular individual

*Sexual activities with toys or other children

* Having a hard time sitting

*Anxiety

* Infections

*Torn or bloody clothing

* Angry outbursts