Children are more likely to be sexually abused by someone they know, be it a cousin, family friend, caregiver, or a coach. The “stranger danger” talk parents have with their kids, are more often than not a very rare scenario. In fact, it is estimated that 90 per cent of child sex abuse is done by someone the child knows.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls are sexually abused before the age of 18. Because kids are taught from an early age to respect and listen to adults, it is hard for them to speak up. Pedophiles often use threats towards the child and the family if he or she tells someone.
Despite the fact that kids don’t always tell what they are going through, there are usually changes in their eating habits, nightmares, withdrawal, fear of places, people, and activities. Clues that tell parents or guardians something is wrong. Continue on next page