2. AWAKE Children’s
Advocacy Center
• Child-friendly environment
• One forensic interview of
victims to reduce trauma
• Support services for victims
and their families
• Coordinate child abuse case
investigations through
multidisciplinary team
meetings
4. Child Abuse in the U.S.
1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys are sexually abused
679,000 victims of abuse and neglect
Over 3 million preventive services from Child
Protective Services
Children in their first year most vulnerable-
highest rate of victimization 23.1 per 1000
1520 deaths from abuse and neglect
National Children’s Alliance, 2015, Child Abuse Statistics for the US in 2013
5. How Many Molesters Get Caught?
3-6% Convicted
12-18% Cases
Detected or
Reported
Out of 100
Incidents of Child
Sexual Abuse
16. Building Awareness with Adults
Recognizing and Reporting Abuse
Darkness to Light’s Stewards of
Children
Sex Offenders: How Can we Better
Protect our Children?
Sex Offenders are 3 ½ x more likely to disclose offenses if the victim has had a forensic interview.
1 in 5 girls; 1 in 10 boys under 18 yrs sexually abused.
National Statistics on Child Abuse
In 2013, an estimated 1,520 children died from abuse and neglect in the United States.1
In the same year, Children’s Advocacy Centers around the country served nearly 295,000 child victims of abuse, providing victim advocacy and support to these children and their families. In 2014, this number was over 315,000.2
2013 National Abuse Statistics 1
An estimated 679,000 children were victims of abuse and neglect (unique instances).
47 states reported approximately 3.1 million children received preventative services from Child Protective Services agencies in the United States.
Children in the first year of their life had the highest rate of victimization of 23.1 per 1,000 children in the national population of the same age.
Of the children who experienced maltreatment or abuse, nearly 80% suffered neglect; 18% suffered physical abuse; and 9% suffered sexual abuse.
Just under 80% of reported child fatalities as a result of abuse and neglect were caused by one or more of the child victim’s parents.
(Jensen: Sex Offenders: What Judges…)
Study-apprehension rate of sex offenders is only about 3%
Another suggests that one in 10 males has sex ab a child
Both male and females abuse children and women more difficult to detect
1/3 of people abusing children are other children.
Only 10% of children report the abuse while it’s happening.
Most wait _______ how long??//
Create belief in victim of mutual relationship
Stage 3: Filling a need
Once the sex offender begins to fill the child's needs, that adult may assume noticeably more importance in the child's life and may become idealized. Gifts, extra attention, affection may distinguish one adult in particular and should raise concern and greater vigilance to be accountable for that adult
and to define the relationship with the offender in more sexual and special terms.
child may feel that the loss of the relationship and the consequences of exposing it will humiliate and render them even more unwanted.
Create belief in victim of mutual relationship
Stage 3: Filling a need
Once the sex offender begins to fill the child's needs, that adult may assume noticeably more importance in the child's life and may become idealized. Gifts, extra attention, affection may distinguish one adult in particular and should raise concern and greater vigilance to be accountable for that adult
and to define the relationship with the offender in more sexual and special terms.
child may feel that the loss of the relationship and the consequences of exposing it will humiliate and render them even more unwanted.
