Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Sexual Assault Epidemic No One Talks About
***TW*** sexual assault, sexual harassment
Statistics show that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18. For such a startling number, this is something that is not often talked about.
I debated on whether to post this or not, as it isn’t something that is easy to talk about or that I have ever shared with more than a few people. However, with the realization that one third of female classmates, friends and family members have likely experienced sexual abuse at some point during childhood, I am sharing this in hopes that they will not feel alone.
As someone who survived sexual abuse at only three years old, I want other women (and men) my age to know that they are not alone.
Statistically, most cases of sexual abuse are committed by someone the victim knows (this was also my case). This is really frightening for parents and children, as I am sure most people believe the people in their life would never do such a thing. While we cannot control the actions of abusers, it is important that parents educate their children extremely early on about sexual abuse--— safe and unsafe touch. While no one except the abuser is responsible for abuse taking place, it is extremely important that parents take steps to try to prevent and protect their children.
Children are the most vulnerable in these situations, many at ages when they are unable to protect themselves. It is the responsibility for us, as adults, to watch for signs of abuse and step up to protect the children in our lives. Some advice I have heard from speakers on the topic include: explaining to children safe v. unsafe touch, having a safe word for when someone is picking your child up from school or having them over to their house, and teaching children bodily autonomy and boundaries at an early age. This may look like not forcing children to hug friends or family when they don’t want to.
Here are some resources and educational tools on how to help prevent Childhood Sexual Abuse, including resources for survivors:
National Sexual Assault Hotline
