Scope and Statistics

1 in 3-4 girls will have been sexually abused by age 18.
(Diana Russell, 1983; David Finkelhor, 1978; Vincent De Francis, 1969)

1 in 6-10 boys will have been sexually abused by age 18.
Reports of boy victims are increasing; some experts believe as many boys are abused as girls. (Terryann Nielson, 1983; National council for Prevention of Child Abuse, 1979; Susan Sgroi, 1978)

90% of offenders are known to the child.
Child sexual abuse is more frequent within families than outside families; disabled children are especially at risk of sexual abuse, especially from people they already know. (Sexual Assault Center, Seattle; National Council for Prevention of Child Abuse, 1979)

Child sexual abuse happens in all racial, religious, and ethnic groups, and at all socioeconomic levels. No group is "immune" from sexual abuse; the offender can be a person in any occupation. (Summit and Kryso, 1978; May 1977)

The average for the onset of a sexually abusive relationship is 6-8 years old.
Reports of molestation of very your children are increasing; more than 1/3 of all child victims may be 5 years old or younger; children as young as one-week old have been molested. (Sexual Assault Center, Seattle; Child Protective Services, Seattle; Department of Health and Hospitals, City of Boston, 1984)

Child sexual abuse is seldom a one-time occurrence.
Abusive relationships last an average of 1-4 years, and many last much longer than 4 years. (National Center of Prevention of Child Abuse, 1979)

At least 65-75% of prostitutes were sexually abused as children.
(Boyer and James, 1982; Enablers Study, Minneapolis, 1980; C. Henry Kempe Center, Denver)

Offenders almost never seek treatment voluntarily.
Abuse will most likely continue unless a report is made. (Groth, 1979)

Children very rarely lie about being sexually abused.
(Stanford, 1981; Burgess, Groth, Holmstrom & Sgroi, 1978) But the reporting rate is increasing in many parts of the country. (National center for Prevention of Child Abuse; Child Protective Services, Seattle)

Every state now has a child abuse reporting statute.
Anyone can report suspected cases.

Child sexual abuse is illegal regardless of whether the child "consents" or not.
Consent is not an issue. The offender bears the entire responsibility for the molestations, whatever form it takes.