safety book child sexual abuse

Sexual abuse of children and youth is shrouded in secrecy, guilt and fear. Offenders use intimidation and threats to keep the child from telling, but the number one reason children and youth don't tell is that they are afraid they won't be believed. Though there is widespread under-reporting of child molestation by both male and female victims, males are much less likely to disclose.

The definition of sexual abuse with children is when an older child, a youth or an adult uses a child or youth for his or her own sexual gratification. This includes incest. Incest with children is when the child is sexually violated by a parent, parent figure, older sibling, other relative, or other significant person in the child's family life.Sexual abuse signs must be assessed in combinations; no one sign is enough to indicate that abuse has or is taking place.

I cannot give you guidance about how many signs should be present to warrant suspicion, because every case is different. If you have suspicions, report them.