Child sexual abuse: the hidden epidemic

Child sexual abuse is a hidden but significant problem in every community in America. Experts estimate that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Less than one in ten will tell. Research clearly shows that individuals who are sexually abused as children are far more likely to experience psychological problems often lasting into adulthood, including Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, depression, substance abuse and relationship problems. Child sexual abuse does not recognize region, race, creed, socio-economic status or gender; it crosses all boundaries to impact every community and every person in America.

If child sexual abuse were like most childhood diseases, the prevalence and consequences of it would lead to telethons to raise money for its cure every weekend. But child sexual abuse is one of the last cultural taboos. With the exception of child-focused personal safety programs, almost nothing is being done to address it.

What adults need to know about child sexual abuse...

• It happens more than you think. A lot more - one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before their eighteenth birthday.
• It can happen right under your nose and you may never know - less than one victim in ten will tell.
• The perpetrators aren't usually "dirty old men hiding in the bushes" - 34% of those who sexually abuse children are family members. A further 59% are friends and acquaintances of the child and his family.
• You probably don't realize how big the problem is - 67% of the victims of all sexual assaults (including adults) are children.
• And we're not talking about young teenagers having consensual sex - the median age for sexual abuse is just nine years of age.
• Child sexual abuse is not just a bad experience. Child sexual abuse wrecks young lives - victims of child sexual abuse are at far greater risk for all sorts of psychological disorders including PTSD, depression, substance abuse and relationship problems, often lasting into adulthood.

Prevention, Prevention, Prevention

Join our Conscious Coalition Today, become a "Steward of Children!"

Darkness to Light believes that adults should be taking proactive steps to protect children from this significant risk. It is unrealistic to think that a young child can take responsibility for fending off sexual advances by an adult. Adults are responsible for the safety of children. Adults are the ones who need to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Yet, the statistics clearly show that adults aren't shouldering this responsibility. Darkness to Light believes that adults just don't know how.

The Children's Advocacy Center of Jackson County has organized a team of facilitators who can train you or your organization in the Stewards of Children program. It may be the most important 2.5 hours you have ever spent.

In this 2.5 hours workshop, you will:

• Receive the 7 steps to protecting all children from sex abuse.
• Hear real stories from survivors
• Learn to identity the signs of sex abuse
• Learn how to talk to a child who discloses sex abuse to you
• Get the tools to take into your community that will stop this epidemic
• Turn outrage into ACTION
• For every one adult trained, 10 children will not be sexually abused!

If you wish to be receive this training, contact Cari Dickson, cdickson@cacjc.org or cdickson@cacjc.org or call 541-734-5437 x 109

See our calendar for already scheduled trainings in our community.

If you wish to become a trainer and serve our community in this way, call Executive Director, Marlene Mish at 541-734-5437 x 102 or email her at mmish@cacjc.org or cdickson@cacjc.org.

7 Steps

• Step 1: Learn the facts:
  Realities-not trust-should influence your decisions regarding your child.
• Step 2: Minimize Opportunity
  If you eliminate or reduce one-adult/one-child situations, you'll dramatically lower the risk of sexual abuse for your child.
• Step 3: Talk about it
  Children often keep abuse a secret, but barriers can be broken down by talking openly about it.
• Step 4: Stay Alert
  
• Don't expect obvious signs when a child is being sexually abused.
• Step 5: Make a Plan
  Learn where to go, who to call and how to react.
• Step 6: Act on Suspicions
  
• The future well-being of a child is at stake.
• Step 7: Get involved
  
• Volunteer and financially support organizations that fight the tragedy of child sexual abuse.