There were reportedly 425 children sexually abused in Maricopa County in the past six months, and the majority probably knew their offenders, according to azfamily.com. Teaching your children to speak out against sexual abuse may be the first step to decreasing such terrible statistics.
Studies have claimed that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18, according to azfamily.com.
In addition, experts say the majority of sexually abused children know their offenders, and it can become especially hard to report when the offender is a relative.
Educating your children about sexual abuse, while difficult, may help them become more comfortable to speak with you about it if the situation ever occurs to them or someone they know.
"Only one in 10 will ever come forward and disclose the abuse," Phoenix Children's Hospital Marcia Stanton told azfamily.com. "Many children don't have the words for it, they don't know how to explain, they may just know that something has happened and it makes them very anxious and uncomfortable."
While discussing the Jerry Sandusky child molestation investigation with her two children to start an educational discussion about sexual abuse, a California mother recently found out that her children may have been subjected to abuse from their babysitter.
Deciding when and how to have the conversation with your children may be difficult, but there are resources available to Phoenix parents to help you start, such as children's books that help kids talk about abuse.
To educate yourself more about child sex abuse, see our Related Resources section.
- Find a Phoenix Family Law Attorney (FindLaw)
- Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Advocate Rates Sandusky Media Coverage a "C" (The Sacramento Bee)
- Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses: Overview (FindLaw)
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