Sexual abuse is an act of forcing, coercing, or persuading someone to engage in any type of sexual activity. Sexual abuse can be contact such as rape, and noncontact acts such as exposure to pornography, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and communicating in a sexual manner by phone or internet ( sexting). Sexual abuse is often a traumatic experience for children and teens. It is a crime punishable law. What I discovered in my work with victims is that young people are 2.5 times more likely to be raped than an adult.
Young people are the victims in 66% of all sexual offenses reported to law enforcement.
Sexually abused children are at greater risk for psychological, emotional, social and physical problems which often last into adulthood.
90% of victims know their abuser.
55% of children who are sexually abused are abused by family members and somebody they trusted.
As many as 65% are abused by people the family trusts.
As many as 40% of children who are sexually abused are abused by older pr more powerful children.
NB: Everyone has a role to play in preventing sexual abuse.
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