Understanding Likely Perpetrators
Before you can effectively protect your kids, it’s helpful to know some facts. How likely are they to be sexually abused? Who is most likely to be a perpetrator? What makes children more likely to become victims?
According to research presented on Darkness to Light,
- 10% of children in the U.S. are sexually abused by the time they are 18.
- Over 90% of the time the perpetrator is someone known by the child or family.
- Nearly 40% are abused by older or larger children.
While it might feel better to think that only a stranger would sexually abuse your child, nine times out of ten it’s someone you know. The vast majority of abuse occurs when the perpetrator and the child are alone together. Keeping this in mind can help you make wise choices about who is left alone with your children.
If you are a mom who does not live with your kids’ father, you need to be especially careful about any boyfriends you bring home. Men who are not related to the children are far more likely to sexually abuse them.
warning sign of sexual abuse
Older Kids Abusing Younger Kids
How about the fact that 40% of sexual abuse is caused by older or larger children? It’s important to realize that the abuser is not always an adult. This puts a different twist on keeping your kids safe.
(finish reading the rest of the article on PricelessParenting.com)
