WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE & CHILD TRAFFICKING

•Child: This term refers to any person under the age of 18.

•Child Sexual Abuse: CSA, Also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or other child uses a child for sexual stimulation, engaging in sexual activities with a child, indecent exposure, child grooming and child sexual exploitation. 

•Child Sex Trafficking: Refers to the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, obtaining, patronizing, or soliciting of a minor for the purpose of a commercial sex act.  Offenders of this crime who are commonly referred to as traffickers, or pimps, target vulnerable children and gain control over them using a variety of manipulative methods, to exploiting them for profit.

Sexual Abuse

• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are victims of child sexual abuse. 
• Only 1 in 10 children will tell someone about their abuse to get help. 
• 90% of sexual abuse victims are abused by someone they know. 
• 90% of the time there is no physical evidence for sexual abuse victims.  

Trafficking

• in 2022, an estimated 27.6 million people were exploited in forced labor globally, of which at least 3.3 million were children. 

The following statistics are courtesy of ParentsTogether:

• 1 in 3 children are first exposed to social media at age 5 or younger.  
• 1 in 3 children are expected to have an unwelcome sexual experience online before they turn 18.  
• Younger social media exposure correlates with more sexual harm online and peaks for kids who start using social media at 11-12 – the age around which most American children get their first smartphone.  
• 43% of kids exposed to inappropriate sexual content online were under 13. 

CHILD ON CHILD ABUSE IS COMMON: 20 TO 25% OF CASES EVERY YEAR INVOLVE A CHILD HURTING ANOTHER CHILD  

BOUNDARIES

Children and teens who feel in control of their bodies are less likely to become a victim. 

Examples:

• Real names of your body parts.
• It’s fine to say NO to anyone, including adults or other kids, if you don’t want to be touched or hugged.
• SECRETS– like plans for a surprise birthday party – are safe to keep, but other secrets should always be shared with a thrusted adult, like harmful secrets, hide your feelings, hurts, or anything to do with private parts.
• Ask for permission before touching – Receive consent before touching others.
• TOUCHES: Touches that are OK make you feel happy, and touches that are NOT OK make you feel uncomfortable, scared or confused.
• If something happened to your body, it is not your fault. You won’t be in trouble.
• Identify 5 adults that you can trust and can tell them something. They do not have to be family members.
• Empower to report
• If someone does not believe you, you should keep telling adults until someone does.

 PREVENT TRAFFICKING

• Never agree to meet someone you don’t know without first consulting a trusted adult (parent, teacher, guidance counselor, etc.)

• If you feel uncomfortable or are hesitant about a situation, trust in an adult who can help make the best choices.

• Make a decision to leave a situation or relationship where you feel unsafe, scared, or are being harmed. Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, counselor or youth worker.

• Don’t accept friend requests you don’t know on social media. Traffickers commonly use sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc. to attract their victims.

• Be aware of how traffickers recruit people and pay attention to your surroundings.

• Don’t reveal too much about yourself. Do not provide your full name, address, school, living situation, etc., to people you don’t know, whether on your social media sites, or in person, no matter how friendly the person may be.

1-800-522-3511

Report Abuse

888-373-7888

Local

855-617-2288

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