What is Child Sexual Abuse?

• Child sexual abuse is the exploitation of a child or adolescent for the sexual gratification of another person. It includes such behaviors as intercourse, sodomy, oral-genital stimulation, exhibitionism, voyeurism, fondling and involving a child in prostitution or the production of pornography.

• ncest is sexual abuse that occurs within a family. The abuser may be a parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, cousin or other family member.

• Child sexual abuse is typically an ongoing abusive relationship lasting an average of one to four years.

• Verbal threats and coercion are frequently used to force children to participate and keep the abuse a secret.

• Records indicate that 150 Wyoming children were victims of sexual abuse/incest in 2000. It is generally accepted that these figures are significantly less than the actual incidence of abuse.

• Current national research indicates that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Figures in Wyoming are similar.

• Children are unable to give informed consent to sexual activity. Many children do not report their abuse and rely on adults to be aware of behavioral and physical indicators and to help them by reporting suspected abuse.

• A child who persistently demonstrates several of the following behaviors may be experiencing sexual abuse:

  • Sexual knowledge of behavior beyond that expected for the child's development level

  • Excessive masturbation in young children

  • Depression, suicidal gestures

  • Chronic running away

  • Fearfulness, anxiety

  • Frequent psychosomatic complaints, such as headaches, backaches, & stomach aches

  • Drug or alcohol abuse

  • Avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes

  • Decline in school performance

  • Sudden avoidance of certain familiar adults or places

  • Sleep disturbances

• Physical characteristics that may indicate sexual abuse include:

  • Physical complaints including pain and irritation of the genitals

  • Sexually transmitted disease

  • Pregnancy in young adolescents

  • Frequent unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections

   

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