Sexual Abuse
There is a wide variation among estimates of the number of children who are the victims of sexual abuse. This stems from differences in how abuse is defined, the time periods over which studies are conducted, and the understanding that many cases of child sexual abuse are never reported to officials. Thus estimates range from 1.2 victims per 1,000 and 1.9 victims per thousand in studies focusing on occurences in one year to between 90 and 280 per thousand found in a survey of adults who experienced some sexual abuse or assault in their childhood.
Despite the discrepancy in data, there are certain general statements that can be made regarding the victims and perpetrators of sexual assault.
Victims:
- Females are more at risk than males.
- Children from low-income families are more at-risk.
- Children who are victims of other forms of crime, violence and abuse are more at-risk.
Perpetrators:
- Men perpetrate most sexual abuse and sex crimes.
- Sex offenders against children tend to be juveniles or young adults under the age of 30.
- Most sexual abuse and sex crimes are committed by people who know the victims. Acquaintances are most often the perpetrators, followed by family members and then strangers.
