CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST 25% TO 35% OF AMERICAN WOMEN 10% TO 16% OF AMERICAN MEN OFTEN ABUSE HAPPENS WITHIN THE HOME MOST VICTIMS ARE BETWEEN AGES 9 AND 12 ABUSER IS USUALLY MALE AND KNOWN TO THE CHILD

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST OCCURS IN ALL SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL GROUPS ABUSIVE ADULTS TYPICALLY WERE ABUSED AS CHILDREN VERY FEW REPORTS BY CHILDREN ARE FALSE CAN LEAD TO LONG-TERM/LIFE-LONG EFFECTS * LOW SELF-ESTEEM * DEPRESSIVE & ANXIETY DISORDERS * RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES * SELF-HARM * SUBTANCE ABUSE CHILDREN ARE NEVER AT FAULT FOR THE ABUSE (CANNOT CONSENT)

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST PREOCCUPATION WITH SEXUAL MATTERS AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS WITH NO MEDICAL EXPLANATIONS (TYPICAL IDENTIFICATION OF A CHILD WHO’S BEEN ABUSED) SEVERITY DEPENDENT UPON: * AGE OF CHILD * AGE OF ABUSER * PREVIOUS SEXUAL EXPERIENCE * VIOLENCE INVOLVED * REPITITION * FAMILIARITY WITH ABUSER * REACTION OF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS * GETTING PROFESSIONAL HELP

REACTION OF PARENTS UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT NEVER ANGRY OR BLAMING GETTING COUNSELING FOR SELF FINDING BALANCE BETWEEN PREOCCUPATION WITH THE ABUSE AND AVOIDANCE OF TALKING ABOUT THE ABUSE MUST REPORT TO POLICE OR CPS FOCUS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON PROTECTING THE CHILD