Worldwide, around 15 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced forced sex in their lifetime. Boys are also at risk, although a global estimate is unavailable
Sexual violence is one of the most unsettling of children’s rights violations. As such, it is the subject of dedicated international legal instruments aimed at protecting children against its multiple forms. Acts of sexual violence, which often occur together and with other forms of violence, can range from direct physical contact to unwanted exposure to sexual language and images. ‘Sexual violence’ is often used as an umbrella term to cover all types of sexual victimization.Although children of every age are susceptible, adolescence is a period of pronounced vulnerability, especially for girls.
The Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute says that 95% of child sexual abuse can be prevented through education. Ninety-five percent! So why isn’t everyone lining up to take child sexual abuse prevention training? It makes people too uncomfortable. That discomfort is what allows predators to be successful.
90% of abuse happens at the hands of someone the child knows and trusts, 30% of which is by their own family members.
If you think child sexual abuse doesn’t affect you, you are wrong. As a tax-payer you should know the average lifetime cost per victim of child abuse is $210,012* costing the U.S. billions annually. These expenses are largely paid for by the taxpayer. However, the real cost to society is that victims of abuse suffer from PTSD, anxiety, perform lower in school, have higher dropout rates, higher teen pregnancy, increased substance abuse, are 3 to 5 times more likely to commit a crime, have higher rates obesity and heart diseases and have a lower life expectancy rate by 10 to 20 years.
A survey participated in by more than 45,000 children in the 12- 18 age group, across 26 states in the country, revealed that one in every two children is a victim of child sexual abuse.
The survey conducted by humanitarian aid organisation World Vision India with a sample of 45,844 respondents also revealed that one in every five do not feel safe because of the fear of being sexually abused.
It also said one in four families do not come forward to report child abuse.
Some examples of non-touching activity include:
showing pornography to a child
deliberately exposing an adult's genitals to a child
photographing a child in sexual poses
encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts
inappropriately watching a child undress or use the bathroom
warning signs
Physical signs:
*Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area
*Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
*Difficulty walking or sitting
*Frequent urinary or yeast infections
*Pain, itching, or burning in genital area
Behavioral signs:
*Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively
*Develops phobias
*Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
*Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents
*Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades
*Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors
*Nightmares or bed-wetting
*Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes a caretaker role
*Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking
*Runs away from home or school
*Self-harms
*Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact
Where can I get help?
If you want to talk to someone anonymously, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 800.4.A.CHILD (422-4453), any time 24/7.
Learn more about being an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse.
To speak with someone who is trained to help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.