HUMAN SEXUALITY

1. HUMAN SEXUALITY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE FACTS STATISTICS PSYCHOLOGICAL/BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS SOCIAL IMPACT WARNING SIGNS RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS PREVENTION COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES TREVOR DAVIS FHS- 2450

2. FACTS ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • Children of all ages races, ethnicities, cultures, and economic backgrounds are vulnerable to sexual abuse. • Child sexual abuse occurs in rural, urban and suburban areas. • Child sex abuse affects both girls and boys in all kinds of neighborhoods and communities, and in all countries around the world. • Most child victims are abused by someone they know. • Children are most vulnerable to sexual abuse between the ages of 7-13. • Child sexual abuse involves coercion and can involve violence. • The consequences of child sexual abuse are wide ranging and varied. • Girls are more likely than boys to disclose child sexual abuse. • Child sexual abuse negatively and permanently affects the physical development of a child’s brain.

3. STATISTICS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • 90% of victims are abused by someone they know, 68% are victimized by a family member. • 20% of child abuse victims are under the age of 8, most never tell, and some don’t recall the abuse. • There are 90,000 cases of child sexual abuse reported each year, numbers fall short of the actual number because abuse frequently goes unreported. • An estimated 25% of girls and 16% of boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 18. • 20% of all victims of child sexual abuse develop serious long term psychological problems. • 9.2% of all child abuse involves sexual abuse. • Approximately 1.3 million children in America are sexually abused each year.

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL AND BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE CHILD ABUSE CAN RESULT IN BOTH SHORT AND LONG TERM HARM, INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT EXTEND INTO ADULTHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE INCREASES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING: Depression, guilt, fear, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, poor self esteem, somatization, and chronic pain. BEHAVIORAL ISSUES MAY INCLUDE: Sexualized behavior which elevates risk for pregnancy and STI’s, school and learning problems, substance abuse, destructive behavior, sexual dysfunction in adulthood, criminality in adulthood, and suicide.

5. SOCIAL IMPACT OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • It estimated that there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in America today. • Approximately 31% of women in prison state that they had been abused as children. • Approximately 95% of teenage prostitutes have been sexually abused. • It is estimated that children with disabilities are 4-10 times more vulnerable to sexual abuse than their non-disabled peers. • Long term effects of child abuse include fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor self-esteem, tendency toward substance abuse and difficulty with close relationships. • Sexual victimization may interfere with and alter the development of attitudes toward self, sexuality, and trusting relationships during the critical early years of development. • Mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and lack of trust in others are reported more often by people who have experienced child sexual abuse. • Physical health conditions such as HIV or other STD’s, unintended pregnancy, alcohol or other drug abuse, hypertension, and obesity are all reported with greater frequency among people who have experienced child sexual abuse.

6. WARNING SIGNS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child exhibits: • An increase in nightmares and/or sleeping difficulties • Angry outbursts, anxiety, depression and/or withdrawn and isolated • Propensity to run away • Refusal to participate in certain activities • Regressive behaviors • Sexual knowledge, language, and/or behaviors that are unusual or inappropriate for their age • Child seems distracted or distant at odd times • Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity • Child thinks about self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad • Typical in adolescents • Self-injury (cutting, burning) in adolescents • Drug and alcohol abuse • Sexual promiscuity • Fear of intimacy or closeness • Suicide attempts

7. RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AGE- Older children tend to be at greater risk for sexual abuse. GENDER- Girls are at a greater risk of sexual victimization than are boys. Boys are more likely to be victimized by a perpetrator outside of the family. HISTORY OF VICTIMIZATION- Those with a prior history of sexual victimization are extremely likely to be re-victimized. FAMILY- Children living with one biological parent are at higher risk of sexual abuse. Children living without both biological parents are three times more likely to be abused. Presence of a step father in the home doubles the risk of sexual abuse for girls. PARENTAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISK. Parents with a history of sexual victimization are ten times more likely to have a sexually abused child. Multiple caretakers for the child. Caretaker or parent who has multiple sex partners. Drug and/or alcohol abuse. Stress associated with poverty. Social isolation and family secrecy. History of abuse among other family members.

8. PREVENTING CHILD SEX ABUSE STEPS PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN TAKE TO PREVENT AND MINIMIZE RISK FOR SEXUAL ABUSE Teach basic sexual education- A health professional can provide basic sexual education to your children if you feel uncomfortable doing so. Teach that sexual advances from adults are wrong. Communicate openly- children should feel free to ask questions and talk about their experiences. Make it clear that they should feel free to report abuse to you or any other trusted adult. As a parent of caregiver be proactive and ask questions. Teach the difference between good secrets and bad secrets. Teach accurate name for private parts and how to take care of them so they don’t have to rely on adults or older children to help. Teach children that they can make decision about their own bodies and say “no” when they do not want to be touched or do not want to touch others. Think and teach beyond “stranger danger”- Most abuse is committed by someone the child knows. Believe your child- Establish a relationship of faith and trust with your kids.

9. PARENT CHILD COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES • It is important for parents to present child with prevention-oriented material at a young age. • Communicate effectively by translating information regarding sexual abuse in terms that a child can understand. • Avoid frightening children by supplying them with sufficient information while building their confidence and ability to avoid these situations. • Explain the differences in appropriate and inappropriate touching. • Encourage children to trust their instinct and believe they have rights. Allow them to set limits and boundaries. • Encourage children to tell someone right away if they have been touched in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. • Educate children of the strategies an adult may use to coerce them into sexual activity. • Teach children strategies for escaping a high risk or dangerous situation.

10. REFERENCES HTTP://WWW.APA.ORG HTTP://ADVOCATESFORYOUNG.ORG HTTP://NAASCA.ORG/2012-RESOURCES HTTP://NCTSN.ORG