Sexual Abuse/Molestation

Child sexual abuse is any sexual contact between a child and an adult (or other child) that results in sexual stimulation and gratification for the adult. Child sexual abuse includes: rape, incest, sodomy, indecent assault, sexual touching or fondling of the child's genitals, exposing children to adult sexual activity, exposing the child to adult movies and photographs, sexualized talk, having the child pose, undresseed, or perform in a sexual nature, voyeurism, forced prostitution. According to the Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before age 18 (PCAR 1.)

Most children seek approval from adults, they are vulnerable to abuse. The use of physical force is rarely necessary to draw a child into sexual activity. Offenders know this, and take advantage of children in this way. Often sexual abuse begins gradually and then increases over time. It is rarely a one-time incident; it often continues for years.

Who sexually abuses children? 90% of the time, the child knows his or her abuse. Sexual abuse is an abuse of power over a child and a violation of a child's rights to normal, healthy, trusting relationships.

Sexual abuse is a secret crime, one that usually has no witnesses. Shame, secrecy, and fear keep a child from disclosing abuse.

Several common signs of sexual abuse include physical complaints; "stomach" ache, fear or dislike of certain people or places, extreme changes in behavior, depression and withdrawal, sleep disturbances, nightmares, regression to infantile behaviors, age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters, excessive masturbation, frequent genital infections or irritations, difficulty with bowel movements, urinating or swallowing. In older children, the following may be seen: self mutilation, eating disorders, suicide attempts, sexually transmitted infections, sexually victimmizing other children, discipline problems, running away, promiscuity, or pregnancy. According to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the average age at which children are sexually abused is between the ages of 7 and 13 (PCAR.)

85% of the cases we see at Jamerson Forensic Nursing involve children ages 18 years and younger. The crime of child molestation knows no income level, racial differences, or age boundaries of the perpetrator.

Through the education of our community leaders, teachers, law enforcement, medical and recreational personnel, we can help make people aware of the importance of setting guidelines, and putting in place policy and procedures for those entrusted with the care and guidance of our children, we can identify and avoid "potential opportunities for abuse," to take place.

Silence enables child sexual abuse to continue. Silence protects sex offenders and endangers the children who are being abused. Reporting sexual abuse is the first step to healing. Report suspected child abuse.

Works Cited:
"PCAR" - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. 125 N. Enola Dr., Enola, PA 17025. www.pcar.org