Statistics

Why Do We Need S.T.O.P.?

  • The statistics are shocking: 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18 and 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18. (1)
  • An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today. (2)
  • However, keep in mind official government statistics do not indicate actual rates of child abuse because most cases of abused and neglected children never come to the attention of government authorities. (3)

Who are the predators?

  • 30-40% of victims are abused by a family member. (4)
  • Another 50% are abused by someone outside of the family whom they know and trust. (4)
  • Approximately 40% are abused by older or larger children whom they know. (4)
  • Therefore, only 10% are abused by strangers. (4)

What age is most prevalent for a child to be victimized?

  • The median age for reported abuse is 9 years old. (5)
  • More than 20% of children are sexually abused before the age of 8. (6)
  • Nearly 50% of all victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under 12. (6)

How is it Related to Crime?

  • Adolescents who suffer violent victimization are at risk for being victims or perpetrators of felony assault, domestic violence, and property offense as adults. (7)
  • Nearly 50% of women in prison state that they were abused as children. (7)
  • Over 75% of serial rapists report they were sexually abused as youngsters. (7)

What about the Perpetrators?

  • Nearly 70% of child sex offenders have between 1 and 9 victims; at least 20% have 10 to 40 victims. (8)
  • An average serial child molester may have as many as 400 victims in his lifetime. (8)

What are the Health and/or Behavioral Problems?

  • Sexually abused children who keep it a secret or who “tell” and are not believed are at greater risk than the general population for psychological, emotional, social, and physical problems often lasting into adulthood. (9)
  • Children who have been victims of sexual abuse are more likely to experience physical health problems (e.g., headaches). (9)
  • Victims of child sexual abuse report more symptoms of PTSD, more sadness, and more school problems than non-victims. (9)
  • Victims of child sexual abuse are more likely to experience major depressive disorder as adults. (9)
  • Young girls who are sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders as adolescents. (10)
  • Adolescent victims of violent crime have difficulty in the transition to adulthood, are more likely to suffer financial failure and physical injury, and are at risk to fail in other areas due to problem behaviors and outcomes of the victimization. (10)
  • Victims of child sexual abuse report more substance abuse problems. 70-80% of sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol use. (10)
  • Young girls who are sexually abused are 3 times more likely to develop psychiatric disorders or alcohol and drug abuse in adulthood, than girls who are not sexually abused. (10)
  • Among male survivors, more than 70% seek psychological treatment for issues such as substance abuse, suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide. Males who have been sexually abused are more likely to violently victimize others. (11)

How is it linked to Teenage Pregnancy and Promiscuity?

  • Children who have been victims of sexual abuse exhibit long-term and more frequent behavioral problems, particularly inappropriate sexual behaviors.
  • Women who report childhood rape are 3 times more likely to become pregnant before age 18.
  • An estimated 60% of teen first pregnancies are preceded by experiences of molestation, rape, or attempted rape. The average age of their offenders is 27 years.
  • Victims of child sexual abuse are more likely to be sexually promiscuous. (39, 59, 60, 70)
  • More than 75% of teenage prostitutes have been sexually abused.

 

Sources:

1. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/ace/prevalence.htm ACE Study – Prevalence Adverse Childhood Experiences. 2. Abel, G., Becker, J., Mittelman , M., Cunningham- Rathner, J., Rouleau, J., & Murphy, W. (1987). Self reported sex crimes on non-incarcerated paraphiliacs. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2(1), 3-25.  3. Jim Hopper, Ph.D  http://www.jimhopper.com/abstats/ 4. Kilpatrick, D., Saunders, B., & Smith, D. (2003). Youth victimization: Prevalence and implications. U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice report. 5.  Putnam, F. (2003). Ten-year research update review: Child sexual abuse. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 42 , 269-278. 6.  Snyder, H N. (2000). Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident, and offender characteristics. National Center for Juvenile Justice, U.S. Department of Justice.  7.  Kilpatrick, D., Saunders, B., & Smith, D. (2003). Youth victimization: Prevalence and implications. U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice report.  8. Elliott, M., Browne, K., & Kilcoyne, J. (1995). Child sexual abuse prevention: What offenders tell us.Child Abuse & Neglect, 5, 579-594.  9.  Molnar, B.V., Buka, S.L, & Kessler, R.C. (2001). Child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology: Results from the National Comorbidity Study. American Journal of Public Health, 9 ,   753-760.  10. 16. Day, A., Thurlow, K., & Woolliscroft, J. (2003). Working with childhood sexual abuse: A survey of mental health professionals.Child Abuse & Neglect, 27 , 191-198. 11.  Walrath, C., Ybarra, M., Holden, W., Liao, Q., Santiago, R., & Leaf, R. (2003). Children with reported histories of sexual abuse: Utilizing multiple perspectives to understand clinical and psychological profiles. Child Abuse & Neglect, 27, 509-524. 12.  Kellogg, N.D., Hoffman, T.J, & Taylor, E.R. (1999). Early sexual experience among pregnant and parenting adolescents.Adolescence, 43, 293-303. Noll, J.G., Trickett, P.K., & Putnam, F.W. (2003). A prospective investigation of the impact of childhood sexual abuse on the development of sexuality . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 575-586. Paolucci, E.O, Genuis, M.L, & Violato, C. (2001). A meta-analysis of the published research on the effects of child sexual abuse.Journal of Psychology , 135, 17-36.  Saewyc, E.M., Magee, L.L., & Pettingall, S.E. (2004). Teenage pregnancy and associated risk behavior among sexually abused adolescents. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health , 36(3), 98-105.