1. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

2. CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST
25% TO 35% OF AMERICAN WOMEN
10% TO 16% OF AMERICAN MEN
OFTEN ABUSE HAPPENS WITHIN THE HOME
MOST VICTIMS ARE BETWEEN AGES 9 AND 12
ABUSER IS USUALLY MALE AND KNOWN TO THE CHILD

3. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST
OCCURS IN ALL SOCIOECONOMIC AND CULTURAL GROUPS
ABUSIVE ADULTS TYPICALLY WERE ABUSED AS CHILDREN
VERY FEW REPORTS BY CHILDREN ARE FALSE
CAN LEAD TO LONG-TERM/LIFE-LONG EFFECTS * LOW SELF-ESTEEM * DEPRESSIVE & ANXIETY DISORDERS * RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES * SELF-HARM * SUBTANCE ABUSE
CHILDREN ARE NEVER AT FAULT FOR THE ABUSE (CANNOT CONSENT)

4. CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE AND INCEST
PREOCCUPATION WITH SEXUAL MATTERS AND PHYSICAL PROBLEMS WITH NO MEDICAL EXPLANATIONS (TYPICAL IDENTIFICATION OF A CHILD WHO’S BEEN ABUSED)
SEVERITY DEPENDENT UPON: * AGE OF CHILD * AGE OF ABUSER * PREVIOUS SEXUAL EXPERIENCE * VIOLENCE INVOLVED * REPITITION * FAMILIARITY WITH ABUSER * REACTION OF OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS * GETTING PROFESSIONAL HELP

5. REACTION OF PARENTS UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT NEVER ANGRY OR BLAMING
GETTING COUNSELING FOR SELF
FINDING BALANCE BETWEEN PREOCCUPATION WITH THE ABUSE AND AVOIDANCE OF TALKING ABOUT THE ABUSE
MUST REPORT TO POLICE OR CPS
FOCUS SHOULD ALWAYS BE ON PROTECTING THE CHILD