Samaritan Counseling Center Blog

What are Children 3X More Likely to Experience than Adults?

– Beth Healey, Director of Development and Marketing, Samaritan Counseling Center

I try to focus on the good things in life…maintaining a positive attitude…spreading happiness and encouragement to others. However, none of us—including myself—can afford to ignore the horrendous wrongdoings in the world—one of them being child sexual abuse. The disturbing facts:

• One in four girls and one in six boys under the age of 18 experience child sexual abuse in the United States
• Children are three times more likely to be raped than adults.
• It is more likely for a child to experience sexual abuse by a family member or other "supposedly" trusted adult than by a stranger.

Despite stricter reporting mandates, laws and heightened awareness (often brought about by shockers like the Jerry Sandusky horror story), this repulsive criminal act continues to occur. Right in our own families, neighborhoods, schools—and even in our churches. Chances are, you know someone who was sexually abused as a child. (I have a friend whose abuse began when she was a toddler. A toddler!)

The damage done by sexual abuse extends far beyond the physical effects—and well beyond childhood. Those who suffersexual abuse as children often experience the following as adults:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Poor self-esteem
• Depression and anxiety
• Substance abuse
• Other mental and emotional disorders

Without help and healing, a victim of child sexual abuse can face a lifetime of pain. So, if we’re not turning a deaf ear to this problem, what can we do?

Here are just a few ways to help prevent and address child sexual abuse:

• Learn to recognize the signs that

-        a child may be the victim of sexual abuse

-     another child or an adult may be at-risk for harming a child

• Report abuse to the authorities
• Encourage survivors to seek professional counseling
• Learn how to protect your own children; help them set healthy boundaries, etc.
• Become involved in a prevention program

What, specifically, can churches do to help prevent and address the sexual abuse of children?
The answer is: a lot! The SafeChurch program is sweeping the nation, empowering hundreds of churches to play a key role in ending this epidemic. Here in Western Pennsylvania, SafeChurch training was initiated this past year by the Samaritan Counseling Center and Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. To date, over 40 representatives from 11 area churches are engaged in this training.

SafeChurch training is set to begin again in the summer of 2016. For more information, contact bhealey@samaritancounseling.net.

Are you or someone you know a survivor of sexual abuse?
If so, please get professional help if you haven’t already done so. Call the Samaritan Counseling Center at 412-741-7430. Most counseling services are covered by health insurance. If you do not have insurance or cannot afford counseling, you may qualify for subsidies from Samaritan’s Client Aid Fund. You deserve hope, healing and happiness. Learn more at www.samaritancounseling.net

Helpful Articles and Resources

http://www.nsvrc.org/projects/child-sexual-assault-prevention/preventing-child-sexual-abuse-resources#What%20You%20Can%20Do

http://www.pcar.org/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/somatic-psychology/201303/trauma-childhood-sexual-abuse

www.nsvrc.org

Pittsburgh Action Against Rape

81 South 19th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
(866) 363-7273

 The Center for Victims

5916 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 392-8582