CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH

WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE?

• Child Sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for Sexual stimulation.
• Victims are both male and female
• Age Group (0 – 18)
• Crosses all Socio-Economic and Ethnic Groups
• Child Marriage (is most prevalent form of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls).
• Incest (sexual abuse by a family member) can have more serious and long term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest).

(A child can not consent to any form of sexual activity… )

FORMS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE INCLUDE:

• Engaging in sexual activities with a child
• Indecent exposure of genitals, female nipples, etc.
• Child grooming
• Using a child to produce pornography
• Fondling
• Obscene phone calls and text messages
• Sex trafficking

FACTS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE:

• The global prevalence of child sexual abuse has been estimated at 19.7 for females and 7.9% for males.
• Most sexual abuse offenders know their victims and are acquainted in some way. Approximately 30% are relatives of the child. Most often brothers, fathers, uncles or cousins.
• About 60% are other acquaintances such as friends of the family, babysitters, or neighbors, strangers are the offenders in approximately 10% of child sexual abuse case.
• At least 93% of victims under the age of 18 have known their abuser.
• Most child sexual abuse is committed by men.
• Studies indicate that 14% to 40% of offenses reported against boys and 6% of offenses reported against girls.
• Studies indicate that 14% to 40% of women commit offenses reported against boys and 6% of offenses reported against girls.

Child Sexual Abuse can occur in different settings including:

• Child’s home
• Child’s school
• Where the child works
• Where the child worships
• Friend’s home