It is Happening More Than You Realize
It is Happening More Than You Realize
Different forms of child abuse seem to be consistently occurring right under our noses and we are oblivious to it. Whether it is simply because we are not educated enough on the signs, or we choose to ignore them because we can not bear the thought of such vile acts happening in our lives, we must stand up for our children who are afraid to use their voices to admit their hell of reality.
Statistics
91,710 victims (74.9%) are neglected
115,100 victims (17.5%) are physically abused
60,927 victims (9.3%) are sexually abused
39,824 victims (6.1%) are psychologically maltreated
Every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted
Every 9 minutes that victim is a child
Only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison
A perfect example of obliviousness:
Does the name John Geddert ring a bell? To many of us it does not, even though he was a part of the major sexual abuse crisis with USA gymnastics. John Geddert was the former coach of the 2012 gold medalists Olympic “Fab Five” team including athletes Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, and Kyla Ross. He was also the gym owner of the Twistars gymnastics club in Dimondale, Michigan. Geddert, 63, was charged with human trafficking and sexual misconduct. He died from suicide by gunshot on February 25, 2021 next to a rest stop dumpster before he was scheduled to surrender to authorities.
The Geddert case expanded while the Nassar investigation was underway. Lawrence G. Nassar was the former USA Gymnastics national team doctor who sexually abused over 250 young girls, women, and a boy, dating all the way back to 1992. He is now serving up to 175 years in prison for a cobination of 3 convictions from child pornography, decades of sexual abuse, and assault charges committed at Twistars gymnastics club working hand in hand with John Geddirt. An older victim, abused in the 90s by Nassar says Geddert and Nassar should have been convicted decades ago. “It was obvious and still swept under the rug.”
The effects of abuse:
The survivors abused by both Nassar and Gerret have said that, because of the abuse, they are struggling with their mental health and have symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders and instances of self-harm. Others said they no longer trust doctors or that they shrink from any sort of physical touch, even from close friends and loved ones. The lingering effects of any form abuse can cause major mental health concerns including risk of suiside if not treated and addressed rightly.
What to be aware of:
Of sexual abuse cases reported to law enforcement, 93% of juvenile victims knew the perpetrator:
59% were acquaintances
34% were family members
7% were strangers to the victim
Abusers tend to offend against those they can build a trusting relationship with by using the act of grooming
Grooming includes the process of building a trusting relationship like being a mentor to the child, giving them money, playful coaxing, giving them treats ect..
Studies suggest that most sex offenders are married or in a consenting relationship
Victims tend to respond in a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn manner
What you can do:
Avoid allowing children into one on one interactions with adults or older children
Teach your children that they are not allowed to accept gifts or treats from anyone without a parent’s consent
This will signal the predator that you are aware of what your child receives and that they are not a likely of being a vulnerable victim
Talk to your children about the people in their lives and take note of any older individuals who seem to be taking an overly involved role
Educate your children on different forms of abuse and what the safe touches are e.g hugs, fist bumps, high fives, pat on the upper back, hand shakes
Believe your children if they admit to being a victim, children rarely ever lie or make up stories about abuse
On the contrary they tend to not speak up because of embarrassment, shame, wishing to protect the offender, fear of being punished ect…
Never blame the victim regardless of their behavior, victim shaming will negatively affect the survivor mentally and emotionally.
Being out late, drinking, and their outfit choice are NEVER justifications of being sexually assaulted or abused. It is the abusers fault and the abuser’s fault only!
Know that a survivors recovery and healing journey will be greatly enhanced if they are believed, supported, and feel protected by their loved ones
For more information on the U.S gymnastics sexual abuse scandal please visit: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/sports/john-geddert-gymnastics.html
If you are having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the Unites States at 1-800-273-8255 (TALK). You can find a list of additional mental health resources at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
Sources: Rape, Abuse & Insest National Network, Perpetrators of Sexual Violence: Statistics. https://www.rainn.org/statihttps://United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. Child Maltreatment Survey, 2012 (2013). https://www.bjs.gov/Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, Female Victims of Sexual Violence, 1994-2010 (2013). https://www.bjs.gov/National Public Radio, Nassar Returns To Court For 3rd Sentencing; USA Gymnastics Board Resigns (2018). https://www.npr .org/Characteristics of sexual assault. (2020, March 03). Retrieved April 28, 2021, https://oxbowacademy.net/educationalarticles/sex_assault_chr/