Abuse

The Problem:

• Child sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity or contact between a child and an older person, male or female.
• 75-85% of children sexually abused are abused by someone they know well and trust, often times, the person is in their family.
• Reports of molest are up 300% from 1983, according to Children's Protective Services, Sacramento County.
• 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 7 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18.

Long Term Effects on Victims:

• Confusion about love and sex.
• Guilt, shame.
• Prostitution, promiscuity.
• Excessive and inappropriate fears.
• Mistrust.
• Depression.
• Cycle of victimization continues. Abused children often grow up to be abusers or part of another abusing family.

Facts about Juvenile Sexual Offenders:

• JSOs frequently experience serious conflict in their own family.
• JSOs frequently have learning difficulties which have not been diagnosed or treated.
• JSOs frequently have trouble relating to children of their own age. They instead relate to younger children, the same children they may sexually molest.
• 80-90% of JSOs have been sexually molested by someone else prior to committing a sexual offense.
• JSOs learn to be sexually abusive from being victimized physically, emotionally and sexually, by others.

Prevention and Education:

• Increases awareness about the realities of child sexual abuse.
• Dispels myths like, "Most children are molested by strangers."
• Provides an opportunity for children and adults to learn about the problem and specific prevention strategies.
• Teaches children non-abusive ways of resolving conflict.
• Teaches caring adults how to respond when sexual abuse happens.