Sexual exploitation of children is a serious problem, and it may be one of the most underreported crimes.
- An estimated one in five girls and one in ten boys will be sexually victimized before reaching adulthood1
- Less than 35% of child sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement.2
- In one year, an estimated 1,682,900 children left their homes or stayed away overnight, to escape physical or sexual abuse. Approximately 38,600 of these children will have some type of involvement in sexual trafficking.1
resources for families
Just as it’s difficult to pinpoint the number of sexually exploited children, it is also hard to identify potential exploiters. That’s because molesters and sexual offenders come from all walks of life, races, and backgrounds. The dangers to children are greater from someone they or you know, than from "strangers."
Given all the unknowns it’s important to create an open environment of communication in which your children feel safe to ask questions without shame or judgment. That way they’ll come to you when things aren’t right.
To learn more about the issue, or report the sexual exploitation of a child, go to www.cybertipline.com. For guidelines about talking to your children, click here.
If you suspect that your child or any child has been or is about to be a victim of sexual exploitation, contact your local police. After you have contacted local authorities, contact NCMEC at 1.800.THE.LOST(1.800.843.5678) or online at www.missingkids.com.
Footnotes
1. Source: D. Finkelhor. “Current Information on the Scope and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse.” The Future of Children: Sexual Abuse of Children, 1994, volume 4, page 37.
2. Source: K.J. Ruggiero and D.G. Kilpatrick, (unpublished data). Reporting rape to the authorities: Findings from the National Women’s Study (Kilpatrick, et al., 1992) and National Violence Against Women’s Survey (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Medical University of South Carolina, National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center.
