How does child sexual abuse occur?
Child sexual abuse typically doesn’t happen all of a sudden; instead there are often warning signs in a person’s behaviors that demonstrate they’re struggling to maintain healthy boundaries with youth.
Close relationships often come first
People who abuse children often first build a relationship with the child, or already have a relationship with them. The majority of people who sexually abuse children are someone close to the child and may be a family member, close family friend, or caregiver [1].
Often adults who sexually abuse children feel that they can relate better to children [2]. They may be good at making friends with children and those who are close to them. Some may befriend a parent who is facing difficulties. They may offer to babysit or help with childcare and other responsibilities. Some may work in places that put them in close contact with children, such as childcare facilities, schools, children's groups and sports teams. Some spend time in places where they get to know children, e.g. arcades, playgrounds, parks, swimming pools and around schools.
Sexual abuse can also involve child on child sexual abuse (COCSA)
More than 70% of child sexual abuse is by another child or youth. And this is usually between children who are close, like siblings, cousins, or friends. Often these behaviors arise out of curiosity carried out in an unsafe way or a lack of education around healthy sexual development. Child on child sexual abuse (COCSA) can also happen because of exposure to mature content or situations either in person or through the media, impulse control issues, other stressors, mental health concerns, and many other reasons.
A child won’t always disclose what is happening
For many reasons, children who experience sexual abuse often do not disclose that it has happened. This can allow abuse to continue without intervention from safe adults in the child’s life. Someone who sexually abuses a child may tell them that this is how people show that they love you, or that if they speak up something bad will happen. Some people might even frame sexually abusive behaviors as a “secret” that they have together. These dynamics can allow abuse to continue happening.
Adults can take steps to prevent child sexual abuse by becoming aware and knowledgeable about warning signs, and by building the confidence to speak up when they see an adult or child behaving in ways that are unsafe. Together we can all increase safety for children and take action before abuse happens.
Learn More
- Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Facts About Abuse and How to Prevent It
- Warning signs
- Are there typical characteristics of people who sexually abuse children?
- Why would an adult sexually abuse a child?
- Can child sexual abuse involve a child abusing another child (COCSA)?
- Why don’t children disclose or tell if they have been abused?
- What can I do to learn more about how to prevent child sexual abuse?
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References
[1] Finkelhor, D., & Shattuck, A. (2012). Characteristics of crimes against juveniles. Durham, NH: Crimes Against Children Research Center. Retrieved from http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV26_Revised%20Characteristics%20 of%20Crimes%20against%20Juveniles_5-2-12.pdf
[2] Hermann, C. A., McPhail, I. V., Helmus, L. M., & Hanson, R. K. (2017). Emotional congruence with children is associated with sexual deviancy in sexual offenders against children. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 61(12), 1311-1334. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X15620830