We live in a democratic age. The democratisation process is moving steadily
along in nations transitioning from totalitarian and authoritarian rule all
over the world.
What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse happens when an adult or older child uses a younger child
for sexual stimulation. The stimulation may take the form of sexual
fondling, handling of the genitals, attempted penetration, oral sex, or
intercourse. A father watching his teenage daughter undress and shower is
an example of hands-off sexual abuse. Eighty-five percent of sexual
assaults on children are committed by someone the child knows and usually
trusts – an immediate family member, by a parent, step – parent, sibling or
other relative; or outside the home, for example, by a friend, neighbor,
child care person, teacher, or stranger. When sexual abuse has occurred, a
child can develop a variety of distressing feelings, thoughts and
behaviors. Most offenders are male. They come from all age, income, and
educational groups. Their approach is usually not violent, although it
often involves a threat or a bribe. The child might hear, „I won’t like you
anymore,“ or „I’ll give you …“ The abuser relies on the child’s
ignorance, helplessness, and a lack of a clear understanding that she is
being hurt. Too many sexually victimized children, especially boys, never
tell. Afraid that someone will blame them, they keep the abuse a secret.
They fear rejection and punishment, or they think nobody will believe them.
A relationship of trust or intimidation with the abuser also may silence
the child. At first, child sexual abuse may be marginally inappropriate,
such as tickling or hugging to excess. During this initial contact,
children can learn to ask someone for help, but first they must know that
what is happening is wrong.
Sexual assault is any unwanted, forced, tricked or coerced sexual
activity. It includes verbal harassment, exposure, fondling and
penetration. It can happen between strangers, but more often, it occurs
between people who know each other. Survivors may require immediate crisis
counseling, emergency medical care and legal advocacy services. Often they
need psychological care and support which extends well beyond the crisis
phase. Nightmares, flashbacks, difficulty concentrating, outburst of anger,
and depression are commonly experienced. It can also lead to eating
disorders, substance abuse and difficulties with interpersonal
relationships.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse of children is a harsh fact of life in our society. It is
more common than most people realize. Some surveys say at least 1 out of 5
adult women and 1 out of 10 adult men report having been sexually abused in
childhood. This might be fondling the child’s genitals; getting the child
to fondle an adult’s genitals; mouth to genital contact; rubbing an adult’s
genitals on the child; or actually penetrating the child’s vagina or anus.
Other forms of abuse can also occur that are not as easy to detect. These
include showing an adult’s genitals to a child, showing the child
pornographic or „dirty“ pictures or videotapes, or using the child as a
model to make pornographic materials. So there are various types of sexual
activity which may take place. It can include open mouth kissing, touching,
fondling, manipulation of the genitals, anus or breasts with fingers, lips,
tongue or with an object. It may include intercourse. Children may not have
been touched themselves but may have been forced to perform sexual acts on
an adult or older child. Sometimes children are forced or tricked into
disrobing for photography or are made to have sexual contact with other
children while adults watch. Child sexual abuse does not always involve
physical touching. It can include any experience or attitude imposed on a
child that gets in the way of the development of healthy sexual responses
or behaviors. For example, a child may be a victim of „emotional incest.“
If a mother tells her son, in great detail, about her sexual exploits, or
if a father promises his daughter that she will be his life partner when
she turns 18, these would be scenarios in which the child could be
considered sexually abused. Siblings who are aware of a brother or sister’s
victimization, but are not actually abused themselves, may also suffer many
of the same effects as an abused child.
How Often Does Child Sexual Abuse Occur?
Estimates are that approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 8 boys
experience sexual abuse in some way before they are 18. Data on how many of
these children live in foster or adoptive homes are not available. Foster
care and adoption social workers are now saying they believe the
percentages of boys and girls in foster care who have been sexually abused
are much higher than in the general population, perhaps as high as 75%.
Many came into foster care initially because of sexual abuse and others are
children who were re-victimized while in foster care, either by an older
foster child or by an adult.
Rate of child abuse by race:
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It doesn’t have to happen. We can and must reduce these alarming
statistics. As we do, millions of people will be spared lifelong emotional
scars and painful relationship difficulties.
Why don’t we talk about sexual abuse with our children? Perhaps
we are unaware of the problem or uncomfortable with the subject. We may
think our children are too young, or that the information will give them
the wrong idea. We usually want our youngsters to obey and trust their
relatives, teachers, baby sitters, doctors, and practically anyone older
than them. In our wish for our children to develop a trusting out-look and
respect for others, we ignore a dangerous fact: some people who look, act,
and sound trustworthy should not be trusted or obeyed.
Why Does It Happen?
The impact on children of sexual activity on television, video and
through the internet was still unknown, but now… Some children in all over
the world, however, also engage in commercial sex while living at home. The
majority of these children trade sex for money or for more expensive
clothes or other consumer goods. Other groups of commercially sexually
exploited children include girls in gangs, children brought into the
country illegally, and youths trafficked nationally and internationally as
part of organized sex crime rings. Boys are victimized as often as girls.
More children are being sexually abused via the internet, with some forced
to take part in live sex shows, the charity.
The sexual abuse of children, child pornography and paedophilia on the
Internet today are problems of international proportion. Through satellite,
cable and the Internet, they touch all levels of society, they reach all
regions, they put at risk children who should be in school and studying to
contribute to their society. Most countries already have laws against
crimes of sexual abuse of children, child pornography and paedophilia. In