According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “Roughly 33% of girls and 14% of boys are molested before the age of 18, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Nearly 2/3 of all sexual assaults reported involved minors and roughly 1/3 involved children under the age of 12. In most cases, however, child molestation goes unreported. Estimates are that only 35% of sexual abuse is reported. Kids can be frightened or embarrassed and many times do not say anything.”
Additional statistics according to Childhelp:
Children are suffering from a hidden epidemic of child abuse and neglect. Over 3 million reports of child abuse are made every year in the United States; however, those reports can include multiple children. In 2007, approximately 5.8 million children were involved in an estimated 3.2 million child abuse reports and allegations.
Based on these statistics, sadly, a large portion of our nation consists of the "walking wounded" — those who have survived childhood sexual abuse, but will be forever haunted and scarred by its far reaching tentacles.
For many years, people in highly regarded places of influence — churches, schools, and government — swept under the rug a scourge on innocence that was slowly spreading and laying vast ruin to the lives it touched. Whether it was because it was an uncomfortable topic or part of an elaborate cover-up, the victims were all the same — innocent children who were made to feel afraid and ashamed for having their bodies used against their will.
Thankfully, the tide is turning and people seem to now feel passionate about this issue. Sadly, I can recall a history class years ago where a professor said that laws were established in the US to protect animals from abuse long before there were laws to protect our children. While I appreciate all that is done on behalf of animals, and am myself an animal lover, let us not forget our most precious commodity — our children.
Many Adams may cross my path or yours in the future. I hope and pray everyone, not only teachers, will have the confidence and conscience to compassionately assist any victims of childhood sexual abuse so they may get the help they need. Fortunately, through teaching Adam, I've learned that education is more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Article comments
1 - klondikekitty
Thank you, Pamela, for such a touching story -- i hope your compassionate birds-eye view into the world of abused children will motivate many others to take action against child molestation in this country . . . Everyone, call your legislators, call your pastor, call your school district and do what you can to help increase awareness of children like Adam, caught in the web of shame and deceit woven by those who prey upon them, unable to forget what happened, feeling as though it is somehow their fault . . . please . . . what if it was YOUR child?
2 - unconventionalpamelakay
God bless you, Klondikekitty, for your positive response and call to action!
3 - Fran
One can not be made aware too often of the dastardly deeds done upon children - often by those they know, and often perceived to be trusted.
These types of things often are quickly relegated to the background of our minds because it is something so deeply tragic that it makes most of us sick to our stomach and breaks our hearts to read even read about such things happening to children.
Thank you Pamela for this much needed reminder and for the recommendation on the book The Search for Significance.
4 - Gretchen Paules
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gretchen Paules and I am the Administrative Director of a newly formed nonprofit called the Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation. Our mission at LGLPCI is to help heal and support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse worldwide. The Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation has a website where survivors can post a childhood photo & caption, their story, or their creative expressions. By uniting survivors from across the globe to share their experiences we are not only helping them to heal but also providing a stronger and more powerful voice for those survivors who are lost or have not yet found the courage to speak out. Please share this website information with those in your group who could benefit from having a safe and judgment-free environment to share their story. Together we can; together we should; together we NEED to stand up and be counted. As a newly formed nonprofit we need your help to spread the word about our foundation and how it can help survivors. Please e-mail me directly with any questions you may have. I do know that we have at least one survivor group locally that uses our site as a tool during their meeting sessions because some of their survivors found it easier and more helpful to share in print before they shared in person. Maybe our site could be a helpful tool for some of the survivors you see in your practice. Please share our information with anyone you think could benefit. We also have media kits that include flyers and pamphlets available upon request. Thank you for everything that you do.
Warmest Regards,
Gretchen Paules
Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation
111 Presidential Blvd., Suite 212
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004