OVERVIEW
WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE?
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is any interaction between a child and an adult (or an older or more powerful child) in which the child is used for the sexual stimulation of the offender. Sexual abuse can include both touching and non-touching acts. Touching behaviors may include fondling, kissing, oral, anal, or vaginal sex.
Non-touching behaviors may include voyeurism (looking at a child’s naked body for pleasure), exhibitionism (exposing oneself to a child), exposing a child to pornography, or indecent conversations with a child.
MYTHS & FACTS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
When it comes to CSA, the statistics are shocking. Below you will find myths and facts relating to sexual abuse.
MYTH #1: CHILDREN WHO ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED ARE MOST OFTEN ABUSED BY STRANGERS.
Fact: 91% of children are sexually abused by someone they know and trust. (Fast Facts: Preventing Child Sexual Abuse, 2022)
MYTH #2: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS ALWAYS PERPETRATED BY ADULTS.
Fact: 40% of children who are sexually abused are abused by older or more powerful children. (Darkness to Light, 2020) It is important to note that sibling sexual abuse (SSA) is thought to be the most common type of sexual abuse within a family. It is at least 3 times more prevalent than parent-to-child abuse and happens in communities everywhere. (Our Story, n.d.)
MYTH #3: CHILDREN LIE ABOUT BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED, OFTEN FOR ATTENTION.
Fact: Statistics show that only 4-8% of reports of abuse made by children are false or fabricated. Or, in other words, between 92 and 96% of reports are true. (7 Myths about Child Sexual Abuse, 2021)
MYTH #4: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE DOESN’T HAPPEN IN
NORTH DAKOTA.
Fact: Children everywhere are at risk of abuse; it doesn’t matter what kind of neighborhood, town, or community you live in. Abusers come from a variety of different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, religious affiliations, and educational statuses.
MYTH #5: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS A RARE EXPERIENCE.
Fact: One in every 10 North Dakota children will be a victim of sexual abuse by their 18th birthday; approximately 65% will be female. (Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota, 2023)
CAREGIVER GUIDE PURPOSE
Caregivers are gatekeepers to keeping children safe. This guide is a resource for caregivers to help protect the children we love from being sexually abused by providing resources, information, and tools. By educating ourselves, we can become a powerful force in making North Dakota a safer place for children.
Studies show that many caregivers don’t discuss child sexual abuse with their child for various reasons. This may include feeling that their child is too young to understand, feeling unsure about how to explain CSA to their child, feeling the topic might frighten their child, feeling their child is not at risk for CSA, and many more reasons. Regardless of the reason, it is vital that we start having these conversations with children. It is 100% the responsibility of adults to keep children safe, but children won’t speak up if boundaries get crossed unless they know it’s wrong and have the language to do so.
While the topic of child sexual abuse can be scary and uncomfortable, it is important to remember that there are many things you can do to help prevent abuse from happening in the first place. This guide shares resources, information, and tools to help keep children you love safe from sexual abuse.
This guide is updated annually.
TERMINOLOGY
There are a few terms we should discuss prior to you reading through the guide to ensure understanding. Within the guide, we utilize the term abuser. In this guide, we are referring to a person who sexually abuses a child. Throughout the guide, we will also use the phrase your child. We are not just referring to someone with a biological child, but this could include a child you love and care for like your niece or nephew, grandchild, students in your classroom, child living in your home, etc. You will also see the acronym CSA throughout the guide and that stands for Child Sexual Abuse.