Information

• What Exactly Constitutes Child Sexual Abuse? There are many definitions, but a working definition of child sexual abuse is “a violation of a trust relationship with unequal power and/or advanced knowledge, the need for secrecy, and sexual activity.” (Identifying Child Molesters: Preventing Sexual Abuse by Recognizing the Patterns of the Offenders. van Dam, C. 2001) more »
• Helping to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse It is important for families and schools to teach boundaries in order to help prevent the sexual abuse of a child, and to cut off contact with the individual before opportunities for sexual abuse ever occur. Here are some useful tips to share with your children. (Identifying Child Molesters. van Dam, C. 2001) more »
• The Prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse Unfortunately, many victims are abused by more than one offender. (Sexual Abuse: Counseling Issues and Concerns. Halliday, L. 1985) more »
• What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Has Been Sexually Abused If you suspect your child has been sexually abused, you must take appropriate action. more »
• Traits of Potential Child Sexual Abusers Is exceptionally charming and/or helpful; Engages in peer-like play; Prefers the company of children; Roughhouses with and tickles children; Obtains immediate insider status; Fails to honor clear boundaries; and Goes on the offensive. more »
• How Child Sexual Abusers Groom Children Child Sexual abusers win the confidence of children to maintain their silence while the sexual abuse continues. (What Sexual Offenders Tell Us About Prevention Strategies. Child Abuse and Neglect. Conte, R., Wolf, S., and Smith, T. 1989; The Process of Victimization: The Victims’ Perspective Child Abuse and Neglect. Berlinger, L. and Conte, J. 1990; Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: What Offenders Tell Us. Child Abuse and Neglect. Elliott, M., Browne, K., and Kilcoyne, J. 1995) more »
• How Child Sexual Abusers Conceal their Actions to Infiltrate the Community Child sexual abusers like to choose lifestyles (e.g., marrying into families with children, etc.) that will provide them access to children in order to expand their opportunities to molest (Transforming Trauma: A Guide to Understanding and Treating Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. Salter, A.C. 1995; Sexual Abuse: Counseling Issues and Concerns. Halliday, L. 1985) more »
• The Many Ways Child Sexual Abuse Impacts Society Costs to a society that fails to protect children from sexual abusers include increased reliance on government services and subsequent need for intervention to protect the victims from further abuse. (Identifying Child Molesters: Preventing Sexual Abuse by Recognizing the Patterns of the Offenders. van Dam, C. 2001) more »
• How Societal Attitudes Impact Child Sexual Abuse Statistically speaking, children will need to tell nine different adults before their story might even be heard. (CARE (Child Abuse Research in Education) Productions. Classroom Safety Training Materials. 1985) more »
• Setting Boundaries to Help Prevent Instances of Child Sexual Abuse Do not accept help from those who say they want nothing in return; remember the old adage: “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” more »