Facts about Sexual Abuse

 

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18.

1 in 5 children are solicited sexually on the Internet.

Nearly 70% of all reported sexual assaults (including assaults on adults) occur to children ages 17 and under.

The median age for reported sexual abuse is 9 years old.

More than 20% of children are sexually abused before the age of 8.

Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under 12.

Many child victims may never disclose their abuse.

The way a victim’s family responds to abuse plays an important role in how the incident affects the victim.

30-40% of victims are abused by a family member.

As many as 50% of victims are abused by someone outside of the family whom they know and trust.

Fewer than 10% of victims are abused by strangers.

Approximately 40% are abused by older or larger children whom they know.

Of those children who are abused by adolescents, 50% are under 12 years of age.

People who abuse children look and act just like everyone else.

Young girls who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders as adolescents.

Victims of child sexual abuse are more likely to experience major depressive disorder as adults.

Evidence that a child has been sexually abused is not always obvious, and many children do not report that they have been abused.