| Abusing Our Future |
Our future lies in the hands of children. Why then, does society allow so many children to be traumatized by the adults they trust the most? There are many forms of child abuse, in my opinion the worst of all being sexual abuse. In 1980, when child abuse prevention was just beginning �studies showed one in three females and one in eleven males were sexually abused before the age of 18� (Nelson 2). More recent studies in 1997 showed three in ten females and one in ten males �were the object of sexual abuse in childhood� (Wysocka). Although the numbers have not changed much, could it be because there was more awareness in 1997 then in 1980, causing the numbers to be more accurate. This paper will define child sexual assault, explain what a pedophile is, and give advice on how to empower children to protect themselves. Sexual child abuse may include physical, verbal, and emotional abuse and can range from � �peeping� into bathrooms or bedrooms to spy on a child� to actual �rape or attempted rape.� Any activity that forces a child to become sexually aware or active victimizes the child, even exposing children to pornographic material is considered sexual abuse. (�Child Sexual Abuse� 1). The aspect of abuse most commonly known and discussed is the physical. A student at TSJC, we will call her Carrie to protect her privacy, told me about a time when she was five years old. She was celebrating a holiday at her grandma�s, when she found herself alone with her Uncle Rob, in his bedroom. Rob invited her to �play a new game.� She reluctantly agreed. He slid into bed, still wearing his clothes and requested her to join him. She had been raised to obey adults so she joined him. She felt his hand moved up her dress between her thighs. He then placed her hand on him, saying, �Rub like this.� She didn�t know what was going on until years later. All she knew was that she was uncomfortable. She wanted to escape, but didn�t know how. Suddenly the door burst open and her cousins came running in. When they saw her in the bed, they started taunting, �Carrie�s in bed with Uncle Rob, Carrie�s in bed with Uncle Rob.� Then they started laughing. The uncle said, �We were just resting.� She was embarrassed because of where he had touched her and didn�t know where she had touched him, so she never said anything, just blocking it out (Carrie). What Carrie experienced is known as fondling. There was no penetration, yet she was strongly affected. With the physical aspects of abuse, even one time is enough to traumatize a child for their lifetime. What could have Carrie been taught that might have prevented her from being victimized? |
 |
 |