Facts About Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse includes a wide range of behaviours and situations — it is not confined to just hands-on offences. Child sexual abuse may include:  

• Non-contact sexual offences, such as voyeurism or exposing a child to pornography
• Contact offences such as touching or sex
• One-time occurrences to multiple experiences; one offender to multiple offenders
• The use of violence
• The use of technology

Sexual abuse is a misuse of power and control and is always a betrayal of trust.  

• According to research, 1 in 10 Canadians reported being sexually victimized before they turned 16.²
• In the majority of child sexual abuse cases, the offender was known to the child.³
• The majority of adult survivors of child sexual abuse report that they did not disclose the abuse to anyone when they were children.⁴
• 93% of child maltreatment cases are never brought forward to police or child welfare.⁵
• There are strong connections between child abuse and mental health conditions.

1. There is no typical sex offender:They can come from all walks of life; they can be part of families; they may be well liked and socially competent. 

2. Not a Stranger: In the vast majority of cases of child sexual abuse the offender is not a stranger to the child. 
    
3. No Fault of Child: Regardless of their behaviours, child sexual abuse is NEVER a child’s fault — even if they don’t say “no,” if they enjoy being around the offender, if they actively participate, or even potentially initiate some of the contact with the offender.
    
4. Beyond Physical Abuse: Sexual abuse that does not include contact can still have a psychological and emotional impact on survivors. 
    
5. Force or Not: Child sexual abuse is not limited to situations that include force. 
    
6. Disclosure by Children: Disclosures often unfold gradually and may be presented in a series of hints to “test” adults’ reactions. If they are ready, children may follow up with a larger hint if they think it will be handled well.