about abuse

Statistics:

* 1 in 4 girls will be sexually abused by age 18
* 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by age 18
* 1 in 5 children are solicited sexually while on the internet

* Only 10% of abusers are strangers
* People who abuse children look and act like everyone else. They often
go out of their way to appear trustworthy to gain access to children
* 34% of victims are abused by family members
* Another 5% are abused by someone they know and trust.

How to Respond to Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse

* Encourage your child to talk freely about what happened
* Do not be judgmental of the abuser or show reaction
* Tell them it is not their fault
* Assure your child they did the right thing in telling you
* Avoid making promises to your child about what will happen
* Show that you understand and just listen, do not ask a lot of
questions
* Assure them they will be talking to someone about he abuse who will
keep them safe
* Thank you child for being honest and brave

Definitions of Abuse

Physical Abuse

-Hitting or pinching hard enough to leave a mark which does not go away right away
-Burning with a cigarette, lighter, iron, stove top burner or other insturment which leaves an injury
-Biting hard enough to leave a mark or break the skin
-Choking, pinching, kicking or pushing in to walls or objects

Sexual Abuse

-Any misuse of a child for sexual pleasure or gratification
-Touching of vagina, penis, breasts or buttocks
-Asking a child to touch adult private parts
-Oral sex
-Intercourse
-Pornography

Neglect

-Failure to provide basic needs and care dependent upon the age of a child. Basic needs are described as food, shelter, clothing, education, medical care and supervision.

Emotional Abuse

-When someone who cares about a child calls them names that are really mean
-Telling a child they are stupid, worthless or a mistake
-Making fun of a child until it hurts them
-Telling a chlld they are never good enough and can't do anything right
-Telling a child you wish they were never born

ABC House provides a safe, respectful, and healing environment for children who are victims of abuse. Since 1997, over 5,000 children and families from Linn and Benton counties have been served by the ABC House mission.