Child sexual abuse is still a major issue in the United States. Despite increased awareness and prevention efforts, the statistics still reveal that there is a need for urgent attention and more to be done.
Sadly, most victims, especially minors, don’t report the issue or have no idea where to start. Hiring seasoned sexual abuse attorneys at File Abuse Lawsuit is the best possible action a victim can take. Sexual abuse attorneys can help victims with the legal process.
In this article, we will discuss 5 shocking statistics about child sexual abuse and its severity in the US.
1. 1 in 9 Girls and 1 in 20 Boys Experience Sexual Abuse Before Age 18
Shockingly, research and statistics from RAINN show that approximately 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under 18 years old experience some form of sexual abuse or assault. Not all of these cases are reported. Most of the instances go unreported because of stigma and fear of disclosing such experiences without knowing what could happen next.
2. Over 93% of Victims Know Their Abuser
We always hear that you are more likely to be abused by someone you know than by a stranger. Statistics show that 93% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.
This means that the likelihood of a child being abused by a stranger is only 7%. Out of the 93%, 59% are acquaintances and 34% are family members. Apart from friends and family, there are authority figures like teachers. Because of the close relationships, it complicates the issue of reporting the abuse.
3. Over 57,000 Cases of Child Sexual Abuse Were Confirmed in One Year
In the 2016 financial year alone, Child Protective Services (CPS) confirmed 57,329 cases of child sexual abuse. All these cases were substantiated by strong evidence. Unfortunately, this number only represents a fraction of the incidents, as many sexual abuse cases go unreported.
4. Child Sexual Abuse in the US Costs the Society over $9.3 Billion Annually
According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the lifetime economic cost for child sexual abuse for new cases that happened in 2015 alone was $9.3 billion. This total includes:
- Child welfare services
- Criminal justice costs
- Healthcare expenses and more
The average lifetime cost per female nonfatal survivor of child sexual abuse is $282,734. These costs show the long-term trauma and how child sexual abuse financially impacts society beyond the initial harm.
5. Only 33% of Child Victims Report Abuse
Child sexual abuse is severely underreported. Even though around 20% of children sexually assaulted are abused before 8 years, only 33% of those abused report the cases to the authorities during childhood.
As mentioned, many victims do not disclose their abuse because of fear, shame, and manipulation by the abuser. Many victims also worry about privacy issues, even though police reports do not name minors, and so do many media outlets.
Other Statistics Around Child Sexual Abuse
Apart from the mentioned figures, children in foster care are more likely to be abused than those who are not in the system. According to the National Coalition for Children Protection Reform, an Indiana study found twice the rate of sexual abuse in foster homes compared to the general public.
Children living in group homes are 28 times more likely to be sexually abused than those who don’t. Some of these incidents are sadly from fellow children.
Conclusion
These statistics show the need for more efforts to prevent and educate people on sexual abuse and support survivors. By encouraging open conversations, implementing the right strategies, and providing resources, society as a whole can work towards reducing children’s sexual assault.
