In a previous post, I shared some disheartening statistics about child victims who never report the incidence(s) of abuse to anyone. Unfortunately, statistics from Lauren’s Kids also reveal when sexual abuse does occur, 75% of child victims do not disclose within a year, 45% keep their abuse a secret for at least 5 years, and many stay silent for decades.1
I can’t even imagine the shame that must fill these children’s hearts and minds when abuse occurs. A violation of trust, likely from someone they trust(ed), and a stripping away of their innocence. They aren’t mature enough to understand that this was something they couldn’t have controlled or avoided, even if they gave everything inside of them. They aren’t wise enough to comprehend that this wasn’t their fault and certainly wasn’t caused by anything they did or said. Some aren’t sure that the abuse is 100% wrong, especially if grooming takes place. How confusing for an innocent child to rely on and count on adults in their lives to love them, provide for them, care for them, teach them, build their confidence and encourage their growth… and yet in one senseless act all of that trust and building of a child’s life can be destroyed.
The takeaway is that prevention is key because wholeness can exist after abuse, but the road to recovery may be extensive and draining. Shouldn’t we all do our part to be proactive and take the time to educate ourselves about the signs, and also do our best to recognize them when we’re around children? So often, in the business of our lives, we focus on what we need when attending social gatherings or family events but think about how much progress we could make if we all took just one minute the next time, we found ourselves in those situations and focused on the children.2
There are numerous organizations dedicated to assisting children who have experienced abuse, but I think most of us are aware that the majority are funded through government assistance, and when the financing and resources run low so does the staffing and oversight. In a previous blog, I noted statistics from the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services that 70% of child abuse goes unreported.3 Let’s do our best to not rely on others to accomplish this great mission, but to make the commitment today to do our part and focus on children who are in our presence. Let’s shatter the silence of shame and the disheartening statistics. Let’s give our children the opportunity to grow up with their innocence intact. After all, they are the future!
The World Health Organization, estimates that up to 1 billion children (ages 2–17), have experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence or neglect in the past year.4 If you are interested in becoming a member and gaining access to our Resource Center ($10/month or $99/annually), visit
https://advocatefortheinnocent.org/memberships/ to learn more.
1 – https://laurenskids.org/
2 – https://dcfs.illinois.gov/safe-kids/reporting.html
3 – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-againstchildren#:~:text=Globally%2C%20it%20is%20estimated%20that,lifelong%20health%20and%20well%2Dbeing.
4 – https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/violence-against-children