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This is the 1st of

10 conversations

about preventing

child sexual abuse.

Next Conversation:

#2 Who are

the Abusers?

Children are often

abused by someone they know, love or trust.

Reporting suspected child sexual abuse is everyone's responsibility - whether a
mandated reporter or private citizen. If you suspect a child has been sexually
abused, contact your local child protective services. To locate the child
protective services reporting number in your state, as well as other resources,
call Childhelp at

800-4-A-CHILD

Thank you for your commitment to

protecting children.

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© 2011, Massachusetts Citizens for Children Inc.

Permission to copy, disseminate or otherwise use information from this email is
granted as long as Enough Abuse Campaign/Massachusetts Citizens for Children is
identified as the source.

To be effective in preventing child sexual abuse, we must have a clear
understanding of what it involves. Here is how the American Professional Society
on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) defines child sexual abuse:

“Child sexual abuse involves any sexual activity with a child where consent is
not or cannot be given. This includes sexual contact that is accomplished by
force or threat of force, regardless of the age of the participants, and all
sexual contact between an adult and a child, regardless of whether there is
deception or the child understands the sexual nature of the activity. Sexual
contact between an older and a younger child also can be abusive if there is a
significant disparity in age, development, or size, rendering the younger child
incapable of giving informed consent.”

(Handbook on Child Maltreatment, 2nd Edition 2002)

In studies of adults and college students, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men report
having been sexually abused or exploited before the age of 18. The average age
for reported sexual abuse today is 9; 20% of its victims are even younger. This
means that infants, toddlers, young children and teens are all considered at
risk.

While many people think that child sexual abuse always involves rape of a child,
the truth is that child sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching
behaviors. Both are damaging to children and teens and both are against the
law.

Examples of abusive touching behaviors include:
* fondling of a child’s genitals, buttocks or breasts;
* penetration of the child’s mouth, anus, or vagina by the abuser or with an
object;
* coercing a child to fondle him/herself, the abuser, or another child.

Examples of abusive non-touching behaviors include:
* exposing oneself to a child;
* viewing and violating private behaviors of a child or teen, e.g. undressing,
bathing;
* taking sexually explicit or provocative photographs of a child;
* showing pornography or sexually suggestive images to children;
* talking in sexually explicit or suggestive ways to children in person or by
phone;
* sending sexually explicit or suggestive messages to children by Internet or
text message.

Are child sexual abuse rates declining or are they higher than ever and
climbing?

You decide. A 2006 study by researchers Finkelhor and Jones found that
substantiated or confirmed rates of child sexual abuse were down 49% from
1990-2004. However, this only included cases that were reported to
authorities. It is estimated that 80% or more of child sexual abuse cases never
come to the attention of law enforcement or child protective services.

There are other troubling statistics that indicate children may be more at risk
than previously thought. For example, the National Center for Missing and
Exploited Children reports that its “Cyber Tipline” currently receives 3,500
reports each week showing images and videos of children being sexually
exploited. Since 2002, the Center has reviewed 18.5 million such images. Nearly
250,000 children each year are at risk of becoming victims of commercial sexual
exploitation.

As a member of the Enough Abuse Campaign, you are already taking the first step
to prevent child sexual abuse by educating yourself about the problem.

In subsequent weeks, you will learn about behaviors you should be aware of that
might indicate someone poses a sexual risk to a child and what to do if you see
these behaviors. You will learn how to tell typical sexual behaviors in children
from those that might pose a risk to others and how to respond to them
appropriately.

We will continue to test your knowledge about whether popularly held views about
child sexual abuse are true or false. Importantly, we’ll be giving you some
simple and clear tips that will help you feel comfortable speaking to your
children about this major safety issue.

Until our next conversation, here are three things you can do:
* Speak to your spouse or partner and to other family members and friends
about what you have learned.

* Take the conversation to the water cooler or lunch room and test the
knowledge of your colleagues. Do they think child sexual abuse is decreasing or
on the rise?

* Encourage others to “Join the Movement” too, so together you can continue
the conversation that started here today.

Preventing the sexual abuse of our children means saying “Enough” to the silence
and denial that for too long have allowed abusers to go unchallenged.

Thank you for breaking the silence by adding your voice to this growing movement
and for all your efforts to keep children safe!

References

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Enough Abuse Campaign
Massachusetts Citizens for Children
112 Water Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02109
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