MYTH: Occurrences of childhood sexual abuse and incest are very rare. “It has never and will never happen to me or my family.”
FACT: It is more common than we would like to believe. It is estimated that over one million children under the age of 18 are currently being sexually abused by at least one of their family members. National studies have revealed that at a given time, approximately 35% of kids less than 18 years of age had been molested.
MYTH: Sexual abuse of children is most often committed by a stranger.
FACT: 4 out of 5 cases of childhood sexual abuse are committed by someone that the child knows. Research has shown up to 85% of abusers are related to the child they abuse.
MYTH: It is very rare for a boy to be abused. Girls are usually the only victims of sexual abuse.
FACT: Once reaching adulthood, male victims are less likely to speak-out about the abuse that occurred in their childhood, so the majority of reported victims are female. But we must remember that an 8-year old boy is just as powerless as an 8-year old girl to the deception of a perpetrator. It is estimated that 1 in every 3 girls, and 1 in every 6 boys, will be the victims of sexual abuse involving touching by their 18th birthday.
MYTH: Sexual abusers are old, perverted, dirty men.
FACT: 90% of victims somehow know their abuser. The reality is that most sex abuse is committed by a father, stepfather, aunt, uncle, other family member, family friend, teacher, babysitter, clergy, etc. The average age of a perpetrator is 32.
MYTH: Sexual abusers are sexually attracted to the child they molest.
FACT: It is not about the sex; it is about the abuse. It is about power, control, the acting out of anger, frustration, or drunkenness. It is a stronger person taking advantage of, and imposing feelings on, a weaker person. Children, that cannot understand what sex is, can understand issues of power and the feeling of being powerless.
MYTH: Childhood sexual abuse committed by a family member is usually a one-time occurrence.
FACT: Actually, victims of incest must endure many, many long years of abuse. In most cases, the abuse will continue until there is some type of intervention.
MYTH: Those who state they were molested are only making up stories.
FACT: Only an estimated 1% of reported cases are false, and even in these cases, the situations are still unhealthy ones.
MYTH: Childhood Sexual Abuse only occurs in poor, uneducated neighborhoods.
FACT: Sexual abuse equally cuts across all boundaries: Christian and non-Christian, black and white, rich and poor, male and female, and all cultural, educational and socioeconomic levels.
MYTH: Talking to children about sexual abuse will only frighten them.
FACT: In order to protect children, it is vital for them to receive information about sexual abuse. Deciding to not discuss these issues at all is more damaging to a child than the risk of frightening them, or even giving them incorrect information.
MYTH: The child is somehow responsible for the abuse.
FACT: The child is NEVER, under any circumstances, responsible for the abuse. It is the adult who chooses to abuse the child. This may be the most important fact to remember: No matter what the abuser, or anyone says, it is NEVER the victim’s fault!
MYTH: All victims of sexual abuse become abusers themselves in adulthood.
FACT: While there is a cycle of abuse, by no means is a survivor of sexual abuse predestined to become an abuser in adulthood. Herein lies the importance of the healing process and the emotional road to recovery.
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