Common 1st Reactions to the Topic of Child Sexual Abuse



"I don't want to talk about it. I don't even want to think about it."



Children who are robbed of their innocence in this horrific way have no choice but to think about it, and in many cases, the child will not tell anyone.


These children suffer alone.



"That will never happen to my child. I always know where my child is and who they are with."



Child Sexual Abuse can happen anywhere, anytime, to any child, unfortunately. And the majority of parents whose children were sexually abused knew where their child was and who they were with.


It is important to understand that the majority of children who are sexually abused know the abuser, and in fact, the parents are likely to know and trust that person as well.



"Anyone who sexually abuses a child is a monster. I would know if I saw one."



This statement is simply not true or realistic. Most perpetrators of children look just like you and I, for the most part. Many are married (or previously married), a parent themselves, educated and working individuals. Far too many even consider themselves religious.


This is truth. This is reality. Understanding this is very important.



"Sexually abusing a child is a crime. There are systems out there that handle that kind of thing."



Law Enforcement and the Legal/Court System are both very limited in what they can do about child sexual abuse until after an allegation has been made.


At that point, the child has already been violated.


We must do a much better job of preventing this crime from happening in the first place.



"All we can do is pray for those children and their families."



There is nothing like the power of prayer. However, that is not all we should be doing when it comes to children being sexually abused. We have to do more to aid in the prevention of this crime against children.


In addition to prayer, there are times we are called to act especially when it comes to children.


There is no one more innocent or helpless than a child (of any age). It is our responsibility as adults to fight against the crime of child sexual abuse...for the children.



the sexual abuse of children is the source or at a minimum, a huge contributing factor to many other issues going on in today's society including, but not limited to...

depression
anxiety
self-harm
eating disorders
suicide
prostitution
drug addictions
alcohol addictions
sex addictions
homelessness



SpeakingOut against Child Sexual Abuse, Inc.




Phone: (865) 230-6059
Email: susansd@speakingout-csa.com

P.O. Box 1605
Seymour, TN 37865

A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
EIN: 26-2144172