The prevalence of child sex abuse in our society is staggering. Statistical data demonstrates the enormity of this problem and the effects this abuse has on our children:

• 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse;
• Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident;
• During a one-year period in the U.S., 16% of youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized;
• Over the course of their lifetime, 28% of U.S. youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized;
• Children are most vulnerable to CSA between the ages of 7 and 13.
• According to a 2003 National Institute of Justice report, 3 out of 4 adolescents who have been sexually assaulted were victimized by someone they knew well
• A Bureau of Justice Statistics report shows 1.6 % (sixteen out of one thousand) of children between the ages of 12-17 were victims of rape/sexual assault .
• A study found that 63% of women who had suffered sexual abuse by a family member also reported a rape or attempted rape after the age of 14. Studies in 2000, 2002, and 2005 have all concluded similar results.
• Children who had an experience of rape or attempted rape in their adolescent years were 13.7 times more likely to experience rape or attempted rape in their first year of college.
• A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal.
• Children who do not live with both parents as well as children living in homes marked by parental discord, divorce, or domestic violence, have a higher risk of being sexually abused.
• In the vast majority of cases where there is credible evidence that a child has been penetrated, only between 5 and 15% of those children will have genital injuries consistent with sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse is not solely restricted to physical contact; such abuse could include noncontact abuse, such as exposure, voyeurism, and child pornography.

If you or a loved one is the victim of underage sexual abuse, it is important to know that you are not alone, and that help is available.

First, it is important to report the abuse to local law enforcement or child protective services. Second, it is vital to ensure that the victim receives all necessary medical and psychological help. Last, it is crucial to ensure the victim receives competent legal representation from an attorney who has vast experience in the area of sex abuse litigation.

Additionally, these ORGANIZATIONS provide valuable resources and assistance for victims of sex abuse. Craig Charles Law is committed to fighting for victims of sex abuse and helping victims to gain justice and closure. Our law firm is here for you every step of the way, and our goal is to ensure that your life is not defined by the trauma of your past. For a confidential, no-cost evaluation, give our office a call at:424-343-0660, or if you prefer, fill out the confidential form and your submission will be handled discretely by our legal team.