Sexual abuse can happen anywhere and at any time. This kind of abuse doesn't have an age limit and does not take into account things like ethnicity and income. Sexual abuse can cripple its victims for life and the monsters responsible must be stopped. Stopping sexual abuse requires diligence in recognizing the warning signs.
Warning signs associated with sexual abuse can include depression, alcohol or drug abuse, social withdrawal, and even hyper-sexuality. Other behavioral warning signs can include failing in school and displaying disruptive and destructive behavior, as well as overly aggressive behavior. Ripped clothing and unaccounted for injuries are also warning signs to be watchful for. As soon as you are aware that sexual abuse may be happening, or has already happened, you must report it to the authorities so that it can be stopped. You should also report any suspicious persons and activities that you are witness to.
As parents, we always teach our kids about their private areas and tell kids to be careful when walking to school. Don't accept rides, gifts, or candy from strangers are common refrains. However, parents also need to be aware, and make their children aware, of the dangers that are also lurking online. Be aware of where your child goes while online, as well as who they chat with or are friends with online.
It has been reported that 1 in every 7 youths online have received sexual solicitation or have been approached inappropriately over the internet. Four percent of children were asked by adults to meet somewhere, were called on the telephone, or were sent money and gifts. Thirty four percent were exposed to sexual material, such as pictures of nudity or people having sex. The real scary part about these statistics is that not even half of these children told their parent or guardian about it. As a parent, make sure to communicate openly with your child to prevent sexual abuse from occurring.
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