The “shocking” news yesterday morning shouldn’t be so shocking. Neither the fact that the alleged perpetrator(s) are well known and well respected is new to the story of sexual abuse. In many cases these stories rely on the perpetrators being well known, well respected, and above reproach. According to Darkness to Light, approximately 90% of childhood sexual abuse victims know their abuser. That alone shows us we generally trust the abusers. Until of course, we can’t.
These predators prey on the entire community. They betray marital vows, the best of friendships, and institutional bonds within churches, schools, and sports. Anywhere children and young people tend to spend a great deal of time. They build trust over years and decades. They betray the trust and innocence of our children in a second.
According to RAINN(Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) every 9 minutes a child is the victim of sexual assault or abuse in our country. Only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. These statistics prevail even while the rate of sexual assault and rape in this country has fallen 63% since 1993. The latest statistics available on the RAINN website were from 2016.
While we unwrap all of this as a community we have to look for the best ways to prevent, uncover, and protect victims while seeking to help those who’ve remained in the shadows of their abuse. 66% of childhood rape victims are between the ages of 12 and 17 while one third are under 12 with 55% of the abuse happening at or near their homes.
Childhood sexual abuse isn’t only sexual contact but may include exposing oneself, sharing obscene images, or taking inappropriate photos or videos. The grooming by the abuser can take place over a short or long period of time while building relationships with family members or friends to build their authoritative credentials. Preventing grooming can happen by talking to our children about healthy relations, appropriate online behaviors, and knowing there’s a trustworthy adult to talk to. This includes hotlines for victims of abuse.
Victims and survivors often develop self-blame which can lead to years or a lifetime of trauma and toxic behavior. Self-criticism, strict black and white thinking, chronic self-doubt, poor self-care, unsatisfying relationships, along with shame, guilt, and anxiety. It goes without saying these behaviors can all lead to chronic substance abuse, acting out with unhealthy sexual behavior, and self-harm.
Now that we know some of the statistics and results. How do we prevent, recognize, and recover? We’re going to keep talking about this epidemic in our country. An epidemic that’s now hit home in a very real way for our community. The Voice of Freeport, myself, and anyone out there who wants to contribute will address this as part of our being. Just like racism, homophobia, and misogyny before it we will start to fight this scourge one step at a time. We will do this compassionately by respecting victims as well as offering this platform to tell their stories of survival, recovery, and hope. The perpetrators won’t get much coverage here. We will let them get the coverage they deserve in the courts and penitentiary.
If you or a loved on need assistance please contact RAINN’s hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) For further information on childhood sexual abuse you can also check out the RAINN website here: RAINN.org
If you’d like to contribute to The Voice of Freeport’s Sexual Abuse and Assault Issue Series please reach out to us at progressivevisionil@gmail.com or 815-616-5856.
Carl Utt is one of the founders of The Voice of Freeport and suffered childhood sexual abuse at the age of 7. It get’s better.
