Title: Child Sexual Abuse Facts - The Children's Assessment Center Houston, Texas USA
Headings: Child Sexual Abuse Facts
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Child Sexual Abuse Facts
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
How often does Child Sexual Abuse take place?
FACT: The real prevalence of child sexual abuse is not known because so many victims do not disclose or report their abuse. Researchers have suggested rates varying from 1% to 35%. Most professionals in the field of abuse use rates from 8% to 20%.
FACT: Even if the true prevalence of child sexual abuse is not known, most will agree that there will be 500,000 babies born in the US this year that will be sexually abused before they turn 18 if we do not prevent it.
FACT: Most people think of adult rape as a crime of great proportion and significance. Most are unaware that children are victimized at a much higher rate than adults.
Are there certain factors that make a child more vulnerable to Child Sexual Abuse?
FACT: Children of every gender, age, race, ethnicity, background, socioeconomic status and family structure are at risk. No child is immune.
FACT: Family and acquaintance child sexual abuse perpetrators have reported that they look for specific characteristics in the children they choose to abuse.
FACT: There are child and family characteristics that significantly heighten or lower risk of sexual abuse. The following risk factors are based on reported and identified cases of abuse.
Who are the Perpetrators?
When, Where and How does Child Sexual Abuse happen?
FACT: Many perpetrators "groom" victims and their families.
FACT: Child sexual abuse often takes place under specific, often surprising circumstances. It is helpful to know these circumstances because it allows for the development of strategies to avoid child sexual abuse.
What are the Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse?
What are the Long Term Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse for Society?
FACT: Child sexual abuse plays an important role in the cost of mental health services.
FACT: Teen pregnancy is a long-term, expensive societal problem. Child sexual abuse is a major factor in teenage pregnancy rates.
FACT: Over-sexualized behavior, common for child sexual abuse victims, can lead to an increased risk of sexually-transmitted diseases.

Content: The latest research identified incidents of child sexual abuse involving children with disabilities at only half the rate of their non-disabled peers. Children who live in rural areas are almost 2 times more likely to be identified as victims of child sexual abuse (Sedlack, et. al., 2010). Children who witness or are the victim of other crimes are significantly more likely to be sexually abused (Finkelhor, 2010). Who are the Perpetrators? Most child sexual abusers are men, and may be respected members of the community drawn to settings where they gain easy access to children like schools, clubs and churches. They come from all age groups, races, religions and socioeconomic classes. Most victims know and trust their abusers. It isn’t strangers our children have to fear most.