DARKNESS TO

LIGHT…ENDING
CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE
Monique A Johnson Continued Education Course
 LEARNING FACTS…
• This continued education course/training was held through Cumberland
County Schools mental health/social work training.
• The mental health training was geared towards school social workers, but
was also open to those who were interested in learning about sexual abuse.
• The training outlined the statistics and facts which helped us understand
what child sexual abuse is, the risk factors and consequences for survivors,
and how to identify and report suspected abuse
 FACTS TO SHARE
• 1 in 10 children will be abused before the age of 18 years old
• 90% of children who are sexually abused know the perpetrator
• 1 in 7 acts of child abuse take place during the school day (perpetrators are
juveniles)
• Juveniles are the offenders in 43% of assaults on children under age six
• Normally happens within a group
• Children who have been sexually abused have a greater chance of dropping out of
school
• Emotional and mental health problems could be the first sign that a child is being
abused.
• Only 4-8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated
• Few cases of child abuse are reported or either they are not reported at all
• Use of alcohol or drugs at an early age can be a sign of trauma such as child sexual
abuse.
 IMPACT
• The Health Impact
• Emotional and mental health problems are often the first consequence and sign of
child sexual abuse, Substance abuse problems are common, often beginning in
childhood or adolescence and lasting into adulthood, Obesity and eating disorders
are more common in women who have a history of child sexual abuse. The resulting
health issues as a result of obesity includes diabetes and heart disease.
• The Social Impact
• Delinquency and crime, often stemming from substance abuse, are more prevalent
in adolescents with a history of child sexual abuse. Adults survivors are also more likely
to become involved in crime, both as a perpetrator and as a victim. Victims have
academic problem, there may be an issue with teen pregnancy, and over
sexualized behavior problems

• The Economic Impact

• The health and social impacts of child sexual abuse on a survivor last a lifetime and
affect us all socially and financially. The average lifetime cost per victim of child
abuse is $210,012, costing the U.S. billions annual from taxpayers money.
 5 STEPS TO PROTECTING CHILDREN
• 1. Learn the Facts- Learn the facts. What are the risk an statistics?
• 2. Minimize opportunity-Eliminate opportunities for children to be isolated
• 3. Talk about it- Encourage children to share
• 4. Recognize the signs- Signs are there, but you have to know what to look
for
• 5. React Responsibly-We are all mandated reporters. Tell..Tell..Tell
 TAKE AWAYS
• We were provided key situations and circumstances to look for as it pertains
to child sexual abuse. Most of them are self explanatory and other not so
much.
• I have learned that we are all mandated reporters and it is important to tell
once we find out what is going on and as quickly as possible.