Sexual abuse is an ominous type of trauma because the perpetrators usually instil shame in its victims. When it comes to child sexual abuse, victims are often too young to know how to express themselves and to seek for help.
According to the Oregon newspaper, detectives from Washington County shared 25 things parents should know about child sexual abuse. Based on Detective Kiurski, he said that parents are like a filter and that they can help stop a sex offender before he or she harms their child.
Here Are The 25 Things Parents Should Know About Child Sexual Abuse
Facts
1. One out of four children is sexually abused before they turn 18
2. Ninety per cent of victims are sexually abused by people they know, that includes immediate family members.
3. Child sex abuse is not limited to sexual intercourse. It also contains genital contact, masturbation and oral sex.
4. In the majority of the cases, children who reported sex abuse are telling the truth.
5. Lesser than 5 per cent of children who have been sexually abused actually report it and fewer than 5 per cent of the perpetrator is arrested.
6. Sex offenders can pass criminal background checks. They may have committed their crimes before laws requiring registration as a sex offender, or they may have committed their crimes in another jurisdiction.
Types Of Sex Offenders
7. Some sex offenders are preferential offenders. They treat this just like a job. In fact, they may choose employment and career paths that provide direct access to children.
8. Other sex offenders are situational offenders. This type of sex offender usually takes advantage when no one else is around.
9. Sex offenders often target parents and children they see as vulnerable.
10. Perpetrators often position themselves as the hero for saving a child from an unhappy or difficult situation. They may also cultivate a highly positive and respected image within the community.
Grooming
11. Sex offenders spend weeks or months grooming a child, making a child feel special by showering him or her with gifts, attention, outings and whatever they like.
12. Offenders also groom parents and guardians so that they lower their ddefences and allow the child to spend time alone with the offender.
13. Sex offenders will work to break down a child’s natural inhibitions. These behaviors include “accidental” touching, tickling, massages, having the child to sit on the offender’s lap, showing pornography to a child, photographing a child, providing a child with alcohol or drugs, getting involved in a child’s personal hygiene and “accidentally walking in a child’s room when undressing, showering or using the toilet.
14. Sex offender may approach parents with offers such as watching a child after school every day for free.
15. They rarely stop at one victim.
Victim’s Behaviors
16. Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit anxiety, depression, guilt, fear, acting out, unexplained bruises, difficulty walking, redness, bleeding at genitals, anus or mouth, sexual behaviors, sexual activities with toys, masturbation, sexual drawings, fear of touch, a new reluctance to be alone with a particular person and apprehension when the subject of sexual abuse is brought up.
17. The detectives also warned that some children who have been sexually abused may not show any of the above symptoms. And children who have not been abused may show some of the above symptoms.
18. Even a parent who has experienced sexual abuse may not recognize it when it happens to his or her child because each sexual abuse is different and each person reacts differently to the abuse.
Teach Your Child
19. When teaching your child, make sure that you teach them about sex abuse awareness and the safety precautions. Tell them that it is OK to refuse a hug or any contact that makes them uncomfortable. In fact, do not merely touch anyone.
20. Trust your gut. If another person’s words or actions regarding your child are setting off alarm bells, say “no.” If your “no” is ignored, end the relationship.
21. If you’re reluctant about discussing sex with your kids, get over it. Let your kids know they can talk to you about sex and sexual abuse and teach them age-appropriate sex education and use proper names for all body parts.
Get Involved
22. Be aware of the technology your kids are using.
23. Know your kids’ friends and their families. Identify a trusted adult whom your child can talk to on a regular basis if he or she doesn’t feel comfortable coming to you.
24. If your child tells you that he or she has been touched inappropriately, don’t start grilling your child. Instead, immediately call law enforcement.
25. Most sex abuse victims do not report the abuse at the time it occurs. Delays of months or years are typical. Usually, charges can be filed until the victim is 30. And even after a victim’s 30th birthday, it’s still worth reporting sex abuse, the detectives said, because that history can be used to build a case against an offender.
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