Is child sexual abuse really such a big problem?
Yes. Child sexual abuse is a big problem. Research shows us that 1 in 10 children will experience sexual abuse [2, 4]. Around the world, 7-36% of girls and 3-29% of boys experience this type of abuse [1]. If you’re interested, you can learn more about how prevalent child sexual abuse is.
There are also many emotional, physical, and social impacts on a child who experiences sexual abuse, which you can read more about in our FAQ What is the impact of child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse is a huge problem both in the U.S. and worldwide, affecting public health, mental health, and children’s rights [3]. The serious harm caused by child sexual abuse shows just how important it is to address this issue.
Learn More
- What is child sexual abuse?
- How prevalent is child sexual abuse?
- What is the impact of child sexual abuse?
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References
[1] Barth, J., Bernetz, L., Heim, E., Trelle, S., & Tonia, T. (2013). The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Public Health, 58(3), 469-83. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0426-1
[2] Downing, N. R., Akinlotan, M., & Thornhill, C. W. (2021). The impact of childhood sexual abuse and adverse childhood experiences on adult health related quality of life. Child Abuse & Neglect, 120, 105181.
[3] Moss, C., Smith, S. J., Kim, K., Hua, N., Noronha, N., Kavenagh, M., & Wekerle, C. (2023). A global systematic scoping review of literature on the sexual exploitation of boys. Child Abuse & Neglect, 142, 1-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106244)
[4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau (2022). Child maltreatment 2020.