Nicole Bradford California State University, Monterey Bay Child Sexual Abuse Nicole Bradford California State University, Monterey Bay

Child Sexual Abuse Facts 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be victims of child sexual abuse. 400,000 babies born in 2013 will be victims of child sexual abuse. 9.3 percent of national abuse and neglect allegations are related to child sexual abuse. “Child sexual abuse casts a shadow that lasts a lifetime.” –Herbert Ward

Causes Parental history of abuse: “Children born to sexually abused mothers are at an increased risk to be abused by their mothers or individuals who are allowed access to vulnerable children (Horner, 2010).” Child and Family Characteristics: Family structure, age, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status are all risk factors for child sexual abuse (Child sexual abuse facts, N.D.). Mental Health: Characteristics of sexual offenders include cognitive distortions, Social deficits, and victim empathy deficits (Center for sex offender management, N.D).

Effects Addiction: Victim’s may turn to addiction to self-heal (Stevens, 2012), (Widom, n.d). PTSD: It is estimated that eighty percent of child sexual abuse survivors have some level of post-traumatic stress disorder (Kendall-Tackett, 2001). Mental health: Victims may feel betrayel, stigmatization, relationship issues, and a feeling of powerlessness for many years (Finkelhor, 1985). In school academic achievement is negatively affected when a child is a victim of child sexual abuse. http://www.childmolestationvictims.com/the-lifelong-effects-of-child-sexual-abuse/

Proposed Solution Education Programs: Begin in Pre/k with good touch/bad touch. Each year add a little more information. Make the children feel comfortable to tell if something is happening to them. http://womenshealthfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/sex-ed-2.jpg

Proposed Solution Cont. Curriculum would emphasize respect for all, healthy sexuality, healthy communication, conflict resolution, emotional, and social needs. Curriculum would have children learn about themselves and their cultural, psychological, and spiritual needs through different activities. These classes could give the students a greater sense of self. The classroom would become a safe place for children to open up about what has happened to them and to learn to grow.

Assembly Bill 329 Jan 1st, 2016 sexual health education will be mandatory for grades 7-12 in California. New guidelines will dive deeper into Sexual education. New guidelines just required teaching on HIV, now developing healthy attitudes towards family, relationships, and body image will be included. Parents can opt to take their child out of the class. Assembly bill 329 is a great start but lets go one step farther and start health education earlier in the child’s life.

References (N.D.). Common characteristics of sex offenders. Center for Sex Offender Management. Retrieved from: http://www.csom.org/train/etiology/3/3_1.htm (N.D.) Child sexual abuse facts. The Childrens Assessment Center. Retrieved from http://cachouston.org/child-sexual- abuse-facts/ (2015). AB-329 pupil instruction: Sexual health education. California Legislative Information. Retrieved from http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB329 Finkelhor, D.. Browne, A. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A conceptualization. Trainers Resource Handout. Retrieved from http://www.csom.org/train/victim/resources/the%20traumatic%20impact%20of%20child%20sexual%20abuse.pdf  Horner, G. (2010). Child sexual abuse: Consequences and implications. Journal of Pediatric Healthcare, 24(6), 358-364. Doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2009.07.003 Kendall-Tackett, K. (2001). The long shadow: Adult survivors of childhood abuse. The hidden feelings of motherhood: Coping with mothering stress, depression and burnout. Oakland, CA: New Harbinger. Widom, C., Hiller-sturmhofel, S. (n.d). Alcohol abuse as a risk factor for and consequence of child abuse. Retrieved from: http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-1/52-57.pdf

Thank you for your time and consideration. Contact Information: Nicole Bradford nbradford@csumb.edu Collaborative Health and Human Services, CSUMB