What is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse is one of the most horrible things to happen to a child. This occurs when a child is exposed to inappropriate sexual language, touching, or intercourse. Child sexual abuse may be perpetrated by a family member, friend, or stranger. Typical behaviors associated with child sexual abuse include:
- Sexually suggestive language
- Oral sex
- Prolonged kissing
- Vaginal intercourse
- Prolonged groping
- Anal intercourse
- Forcing a minor to watch pornography
- Sexual aggression
- Torture
What is incest?
Incest is defined as sexual contact between people so closely related that they may not legally marry, often immediate family or first tier family members such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents. In certain contexts the term has been expanded to include sexual contact with caregivers on whom an individual depends for care (such as a step-parent, a babysitter, or a teacher).
Incest generally occurs as child sexual abuse by an older family member to a younger child or teenager.
Is Child Sexual Abuse Common?
The crimes of child sexual abuse and incest are under-reported. The statistics we have available show that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18.
93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker, and often it is someone in their family or circle of trust.
Why isn’t Child Sexual Abuse Reported?
There are many reasons that a child may not report sexual abuse. Some of these reasons include:
- The victim doesn’t know that sexual abuse isn’t normal.
- The victim doesn’t know that incest is a form of abuse.
- The victim may not realize that there is help available.
- The victim may be afraid of the consequences of reporting the abuse.
- The victim may think that no one will believe them if they report the abuse.
- The victim may be afraid of how others will react.
- The victim may have been threatened by the abuser.
What are The Long-Term Emotional Effects of Child Sexual Abuse and Incest?
When a child is abused outside the family, the family can support the child, but when the abuser is in the family, the family cannot provide the same kind of support or security.
If, for whatever reason, the parent who is not abusing the child learns of the abuse and does not stop it or blames the child for the abuse, that can be very damaging for the child.
As the very people who are supposed to protect them are the ones causing the abuse, incest can damage a child’s ability to trust. Incest survivors may suffer difficulties with developing trusting relationships.
A person who has been abused may also feel:
What are Long-Term Maladjustments of Sexual Abuse?
People choose to deal with the feelings associated with being abused in many different ways. However, sometimes people choose behaviors and coping mechanisms that are problematic. These include:
- Obesity
- Back pain
- Sexual dysfunction
- Prostitution
- Promiscuity
- Mental illness
What do I do if I am a Victim of Sexual Assault/Incest?
Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE to help explore your options.
Tell an adult that you trust - a friend's parent, a doctor, clergymen, a teacher, school counselor or principal.
Not all adults may be able to help, so be prepared to tell several adults in order to find the person who can help you.
Call your area Child Protective Services (CPS) even if you are over the age of eighteen. Search links for child abuse and incest state-by-state laws and reporting databases here.
What if Someone I Know Is A Victim?
If the victim is in danger CALL THE POLICE.
Call your area Child Protective Services here or in the phone book.
Other Helpful Band Back Together Resources:
Rape/Sexual Assault Resource Page
Incest/Sexual Abuse Hotlines:
Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE to explore your options.
Child Sexual Abuse Resources:
Search state-by-state child abuse and incest and reporting databases here.
Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) - Provides information on how to get help for both victims and loved ones, links to local agencies and international resources, and on reporting sexual crimes to the police.
1in6 - An organization that helps male child sexual abuse survivors.
Pandora’s Project mission is to provide information, facilitate peer support and offer assistance to male and female survivors of sexual violence and their friends and family. It is estimated that at least 1 in 6 individuals will experience rape or sexual abuse in their lifetime. For many, the aftermath of sexual violence is isolating and devastating.
The Survivor Manual addresses all aspects of recovering from childhood sexual assault and contains a wealth of resources.
Survivors of Incest (and sexual assault) Anonymous - Self-help group designed around the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Effects of Survivors of Incest long essay detailing the long-term effects and coping mechanisms adapted by victims of incest.
The book Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and its Aftereffects in Women contains extensive information pertaining to the effects of incest on an individual and a family unit.
The Courage To Heal is about surviving and healing after child sexual abuse.
Fred The Fox Shouts NO! - by Tatiana Kisil Matthews - Fred the Fox helps parents and caregivers introduce the concepts of “private parts” and safety with people we know. Through open communication with the people that love him most, Fred learns he has a strong voice inside and how to use it.
