Sexual Abuse of Children: What are the Signs? How to Prevent it?Sexual Abuse of Children is a serious crime. According to statistics, issued by the US Department of Justice, one in every seven victims pf sexual assault is under the age of six and one in four victims of sexual assault under the age of twelve is a boy. Moreover, statistics also show that the United States has the highest rate of rape of any country that publishes such statistics; the US rate is 13 times higher than that in Great Britain and 20 times higher than the rate in Japan. 
Sometimes the perpetrator of the abuse is a stranger. Often, it is a family member. Studies suggest that a large proportion of child sexual assault cases involved persons known to the victim.This makes the child's situation very difficult. Knowing the perpetrator in the form of a family member or acquaintance increases the trauma the child experiences. Why? Not only has his or her sense of security been violated, the child's sense of trust has also been betrayed. Moreover, the attempt to "tell" about the abuse is often muddied by the child's sense of guilt and fear. He or she may fear the loss of "love" from the abuser,a situation that often leads children to indicate they have lied about the assault. What Are the Signs of Sexual Abuse of Children? 1. The child may show unusual anxiety or avoidance of a family member or acquaintance he or she once liked. 2. The child may experience falling grades or performance in school. 3. He or she may act speak or act in ways that are sexually precocious. 4. There may be bloody stool or urine in the child's underwear or diapers. 5. Pictures drawn by the child are unusually "scary" or show a predominance or black and red. 6. The child may exhibit symptoms of rape trauma syndrome. Prevention is the Best Policy. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, parents can lessen the chance of sexual abuse by a) telling children to say "NO" to anyone who tries to touch their bodies in an inappropriate way; b) telling children to report such instances to parents, babysitters or teachers; c) teaching children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults; d) encouraging prevention programs in the local school system. Sexual Abuse of Children is a serious crime. As parents and guardians, we must take proactive steps to prevent it from scarring our children. Resources on the internet are also helpful for those seeking help. Thanks to Sara Downs,a volunteer at a local shelter who has been putting together a guide for her association, we have better and more up-to-date information at our fingertips. Sara has kindly referred me to this website which is filled with useful and up to date information on the subject. Check it out! What can you do if you have been a victim of sexual assault? This resource, A Sexual Assault Occurred: Now What? gives you great advice on what your next steps should be. Check it out! Do you know that child neglect is a form of abuse? Find how what the signs of child neglect are and how their effects can be more devastating than physical abuse. Do you know that there is a direct correlation between childhood trauma and adult health problems, even fifty or sixty years down the road?
Disclaimer: The above information is meant only to inform and should never displace professional consultation.
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