Strollerderby

Can you please cite where you got your statistics as those numbers seem scary high, %25 of all girls molested?

To add to Treespeed's question: what is the definition of abuse in that statistic? When I was 12 a man fondled my bum in the subway, which was awful at the time, but didn't leave any lasting scars. Am I considered a survivor?

There are many websites and research studies available online for readers who want to learn about abuse statistics and definitions of sexual abuse. Google is a wonderful tool that way.

Well Adjusted, I'm of the opinion that each individual gets to decide for themselves whether they are or are not a survivor of sexual abuse/assault. However, all states have legal definitions of Criminal Sexual Conduct on their books. You can look up the applicable statutes for the state in which you experienced the bum-fondling to see if your experience counts legally as a sexual crime -- my guess is that it does.

The other unfortunate truth about child sexual abuse/assault is that the vast majority of perps are known and trusted adults - family members, family friends, teachers, youth pastors, etc. The whole "Stranger Danger" thing doesn't really serve the best needs of children in terms of increasing their skills in avoiding or reporting abuse. Personal-safety training programs like KidPower are a great alternative, since their messages are applicable no matter who is messing with a kid.

http://www.kidpower.org/

And here's state and federal statutes re: child sexual abuse and exploitation.

prevent-abuse-now.com/law3.htm

If that's the case then the headline is misleading, because you are talking about helping incest survivors and then citing stats for all sexual abuse and adult sexual offenses. I know it's a serious issue, but it comes off as sensationalist.

If posting a quality resource for parents who may need it (for their children or for themselves) is sensationalist, then what term should we use for postings like "Father Sells Daughter for Beer" or "Babysitter Kills Infant in Dryer"?

I'd like to respond to some of the comments and want to thank all of you for your interest in what I find to be one of the greatest human challenges - child sexual abuse.

1.  Please find below a link to the resources for the statistics quoted on the VOICE Today Website.  Unfortunately I can find no recent studies, within the last couple of years and gives further fuel for the need to address the issue of child sexual abuse.  Even if there were recent studies their accuracy is questionable because of the silence that surrounds this epidemic.

www.darkness2light.org/.../statistics_references.asp

In my experience the reported statistics are low.  Another report states that only 1 in 10 children will tell and I know many, many adults keep the secret of childhood abuse way into adulthood.  I had an 80 year old woman confide in me abuse by her grandfather.  She had never told another living soul.   I have hundreds of such stories.  In my opinion 50% or greater of our society have been sexually abused as children.

ALL statistics quoted on my site relate to children - not adults.  75% of all sexual assault happens to children.  My organization seeks to help all child sexual abuse survivors, be it an incestuous experience or not.  

2.  The word incest is not used for sensationalism but simply defines my personal experience having  been sexually abused from age 3 to 17 by my stepfather.  Child sexual abuse is tragic but when a child is abused by a family member in the home they are traumatized 24/7.  I was sexually assaulted sometimes twice a day.  I tell my story in my recently released book, "From Sorrows To Sapphires" not for shock and awe, not for senstionalism but for a solution to help the children of the next generation by breaking the silence.  No one is comfortable with the word incest.  To think that a relative that you trust and love would violate in the manner is sickening.  Shannon is correct in that the majority of child sexual abuse is incestuous and another fact is that 90% of abuse comes from someone the child knows, loves and trusts, so in fact extended family.

3.  Well Adjusted :  I would say that you were violated and your personal boundary was crossed without your consent.  How would you feel if a man fondled your child's rear today or if you were touched in that manner today.  I praise God it was not traumatizing for you and that you are healthy and happy.

Finally I want to invite all of you to join the VOICE Movement to Break The Silence of Child Sexual Abuse and help me to protect the children of the next generation!  Please give to my cause, please educate yourselves of 7 Steps to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and I will soon be releasing my Child Protection Program that will include characters and children's books to teach children the risk and response to sexual abuse.  This is a HUGE Human challenge!