Child Abuse Myths & Facts | Child Abuse Myths & Facts |
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Myths regarding the sexual abuse of children abound. Here are a few of the most common myths, followed by the facts. Myth: Child sexual abuse is a rare occurrence. Fact: One out of three girls, and one out of five boys, will experience some form of sexual abuse by the age of 18. Many cases of child sexual abuse involve children under the age of five. Myth: Child sexual abuse is most often committed by strangers. Fact: Ninety percent of child victims know their sexual offenders; most offenders are trusted family members, relatives or friends. Sexual abuse within the family often begins in early childhood and may last several years. Myth: Child abusers are easy to identify. Fact: Child abusers cannot be easily distinguished from others. They usually are not adults with mental illness or mental retardation. Offenders come from every profession and socioeconomic group, and many adult offenders are upstanding members of their community. Myth: Children who are abused do something to cause the abuse to occur. Fact: The child is always the victim. The responsibility for the abuse lies solely with the offender. In the case of child sexual abuse, many offenders try to shift the blame for their actions by accusing the child of being seductive or promiscuous. Myth: Children often make up stories about sexual relations with adults. Fact: Young children do not know enough about sex to describe behaviors that have not occurred. |
