HELPFUL RESOURCES
1-800-SUICIDE
1-800-273-TALK
1-800-448-3000
1-800-999-9999
1-877-YOUTHLINE
1-800-273-8255
http://preventsuicidenow.com/
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.helpself.html
http://www.1-800-therapist.com/
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/
http://www.nostigma.org/
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/whattodo.htm
http://www.girlsandboystown.org/home.asp
http://www.breakingthesilence.com/
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Bluffs/5400/abuse.html
CHILD ABUSE STATISTICS
There are 30 abuse and neglect cases for every 1000 people
Average age of a child victim is 7 years of age.
In 1985 an estimated 113,000 children were reported with sexual maltreatments.
Experts estimate that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 8 boys under the age of 18 will be involved in some form of forced sexual experience with an adult.
80% of prison inmates have been abused as children
More than 80% of all prostitutes and hustlers were sexually abused as children
Most child sexual abuse is committed by someone who knows the child. The offender is usually a family member, babysitter, trusted friend, acquaintance or a person who regularly comes into contact with the child.
There is no such thing as a "typical" sexual abuser of children. They come from all social, racial, and economic backgrounds. Although the majority of abuser are males, there are also documented cases of female abusers.
Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse from infancy through early adulthood. Children make easy targets because:
They are easily influenced by adults.
They are naturally trusting and curious.
They enjoy affection and attention from adults.
Sexual abuse often starts with a long process where harmless touching gradually crosses over the line to sexual touching. The child may not realize that the touching has become inappropriate.
Physical force is seldom used because the child usually trusts or depends upon the offender.Sexual abuse happens to both boys and girls.
There are seldom witnesses to child sexual abuse.
Secrecy ("don't tell") between the child and the abuser is often involved.
Physical evidence or injuries occur in only a small percentage of child sexual abuse cases. However, medical treatment or examination is often helpful, especially to reassure the child that no physical damage has been done.