Child sexual abuse destroys lives and severely inhibits human potential. Children’s Advocacy Centers, like the one featured in the film, Alone No Love, see over 150,000 children a year with allegations of abuse. These children come from all corners of society, all cultures, and all classes.
Facts about Child Sexual Abuse
- One in four girls will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
- One in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
- More than 20% of victimized children are abused before the age of 8.
- Sexually abused girls are 3 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders or alcohol/drug abuse in adulthood than girls who were not abused in childhood.
- Among male survivors, more than 70% seek psychological treatment for issues such as substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide.
- Adolescents who suffer violent victimization are more likely to be victims or perpetrators of felony assault, domestic violence, and property offenses as adults.
- Nearly 50% of women in prison state that they were abused as children.
- Over 75% of serial rapists report they were abused as youngsters.
Research has shown that the sooner abuse is stopped and the child is treated, the likelihood of the above problems is greatly decreased.
