Sexual Violence Prevention: Childhood Sexual Abuse

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a form of sexual violence that impacts children 18 years and under.

CSA facts

People who experience childhood sexual abuse can be more vulnerable to future forms of abuse due to the breakdown of their confidence, mental health, boundaries, and other issues that can arise from the grooming process.

• One in 10 children experience childhood sexual abuse.
• About 90% of children who experience sexual abuse know their abuser.
• Experiencing childhood sexual abuse can increase a person’s risk for future victimization.

What is grooming?

Grooming is a deliberate, manipulative process used by a perpetrator to build trust with a child and their family or community in order to gain access to the child, coerce them into sexual acts, and avoid detection.

Preventing childhood sexual abuse and supporting young people who experience sexual abuse

Childhood sexual abuse is preventable, and we can help kids who are victims. The following are actions that can be taken at both the community and local level to both reduce the risk of childhood sexual abuse and help those coping with past abuse. The actions come from Stewards of Children®, a training program created by the non-profit Darkness to Light to educate and support adults in protecting children from sexual abuse. You can learn more about the tips and find a training by visiting the Awareness to Action website.

Minimize Opportunity

• Parents should do background checks or reference calls on caregivers and trust their instincts (as well as the instincts of their kids) on people who will interact with their children.
• Schools, childcare facilities, and other youth-serving organizations can help reduce the risk for abuse through the following actions:
  • Making sure all interactions between children and adults are observable and interruptible.
    • Interactions between children should also be observable and interruptible as Peer-to-peer sexual abuse can occur between children, especially if one of the children has experienced abuse themselves.
  • Performing references checks and background checks on any potential caregiver for children.
  • Ensuring children are not being alone with one adult by always having two adults on shift to observe.
  • Carefully screening all employees.
  • Training employees on child sexual abuse and safety.

Talk about it

• Talking to children about body safety in an age-appropriate way helps them better understand and identify sexual abuse. An example could be talking to a younger child about safe and unsafe touches.
  • Work on getting comfortable talking about bodies and safety and let them know they can come to you with questions.
    • If you uncomfortable talking about these subjects, a child may sense that discomfort which could impact whether they ask you questions or disclose any possible abuse to you.

Recognize the signs

• The trauma of sexual abuse affects each child differently, but some signs to look for include:
  • Showing changes in behavior or emotions
    • Changes in sleeping patterns
    • Isolating themselves
    • Emotional outbursts
    • Behavior regressions such as bedwetting
  • Engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior for their age.
    • Visit the National Center on the Sexual Behavior of Youth website to learn the characteristics of inappropriate sexual behavior.
  • Exhibiting bruising or injury to genitals

React Responsibly

• While it is upsetting and traumatic for a parent or caregiver to have a child disclose sexual abuse, it's important to react responsibility for the child. The following are guidance is intended to help parents and caregivers navigate this difficult situation.
  • To the degree possible, remain calm. Not panicking reduces the risk of scaring the child or causing them to shut down.
  • Listen actively and validate the child by saying something like, “Thank you for telling me. That took a lot of courage”, and “I believe you.”
  • Reassure the child that it is not their fault and that they did nothing wrong. Let them know you are there to help.
  • Do not promise secrecy and remind the child that the information will need to be shared with people who can help keep them safe.
  • Avoid asking probing or leading questions. It is natural to feel curious and want to know more but there are specially trained professionals who will help with this process, like forensic interviewers at child advocacy centers.
  • Report the abuse on the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families website.