Did You Know?

• Sexual abuse usually occurs with someone the child knows and trusts. The offender may begin the process by “grooming” in order to gain access to the child and to keep the child from telling about the abuse.
• Reporting child sexual abuse is the first step toward the healing process.
• Men and women from all races, religions and socioeconomic classes commit sexual abuse.
• In most cases, sexual abuse occurs over a period of time escalating in frequency and intensity, rather than being a one-time occurrence.
• In cases of incest, all family members—child victim(s), siblings, non-offending caregivers, offenders—need treatment for children to heal. Sexual abuse affects relationships among all family members, not just the alleged perpetrator and the victim. Therapy is crucial for the family as a whole to heal.
• Child molesters are often young, family-oriented and respected members of the community.
• The Children’s Advocacy Center provides onsite services to the children and families of our communities by working with its numerous partner agencies.
• The majority of cases involving sexually abused children do not have physical evidence of sexual abuse die to both the elasticity of the genital area and the rapid healing process.
• Many children only report a piece of abuse during their first disclosure and then tell more about the abuse as they feel safer.