Like many of you, the stats of sexual abuse had never sunk in before all my loved ones shared their experiences, but then and now, these figures scream at me. I can no longer look the other way. I can’t discount the discomfort by saying the research must be wrong or that the research responses must have come from somewhere else and someone else. The post Child Sexual Abuse – Turning Statistics into Action and Protecting Kids appeared first on Saprea.
Child Sexual Abuse – Turning Statistics into Action and Protecting Kids
Stats are sterile. We are inundated with so much data that we have become numb to their message – that is, until that stat becomes representative of someone we know and love.
Ten years ago, this happened to me. I started working in the social sector, combatting child sexual abuse. Almost immediately, people in my extended family, my neighborhood, my faith community, co-workers, old friends I had not seen in years, and even acquaintances started sharing their experiences as survivors of child sexual abuse.
I'll never forget the emotions that came to me as I heard their stories. First, a humbling wave of gratitude that they trusted me with something so deeply personal. Second, a crushing realization of my own ignorance—how could so many people I cherish have endured such trauma? These weren't distant acquaintances either. Some of them were people I've loved for years, people I consider close. The question haunted me: how had I remained blind to their suffering all this time?
At this time, the stats transformed from sterile numbers to deeply impactful stories. They represented real people, my people. Predictably, I have seen this same pattern repeat over and over with anyone willing to talk openly about child sexual abuse.
The Reality of Child Sexual Abuse Stats
At the risk of providing you with yet another set of figures to remember, let me briefly share the stats of child sexual abuse. UNICEF estimates that one in eight children worldwide are sexually abused.1 The CDC agrees when they report on prevalence in the United States. Citing credible research, the CDC says one in four girls and one in twenty boys will be sexually abused by age eighteen. These numbers are staggering and alarming. However, most research on prevalence narrowly defines child sexual abuse to include some physical touch. Yet, as technology-facilitated abuse has accelerated, we are starting to learn that the rates are much higher. A worldwide leader in prevalence research, Dr. David Finkelhor worked with colleagues to explain prevalence with technology-facilitated abuse added to the rates. We learn that numbers increase significantly to 10.8% of boys, 31.6% of girls, and 41.3% of those identifying as other genders.2
The Power of Survivor Stories
Like many of you, the stats of sexual abuse had never sunk in before all my loved ones shared their experiences, but then and now, these figures scream at me. I can no longer look the other way. I can’t discount the discomfort by saying the research must be wrong or that the research responses must have come from somewhere else and someone else. It was my family, my neighbors, my coworkers sharing their stories. What are we doing as a civilized society? How is it possible that we are not moving heaven and earth to stop this now?
I remember feeling very angry, as I took time to process the accounts of abuse shared with me. Angry at those that harm. Angry at those of us who look away. Angry at a society that decided the topic was too taboo to discuss. One thing about the emotion of anger is that it can be an excellent catalyst for change. We can do great things when we channel our anger into productive action.
Over the past ten years, I have worked to make a change. The impact has been measurable and significant, but compared to the size of the problem, we are just barely moving the needle. There is still so much to be done, and we must invoke a societal shift to see broad change.
Learning from historical, social movements, we see patterns of how big social issues like abuse shift. We’ve seen it in the civil rights movement, smoking cessation, and car seat safety. Following those patterns, we know that societal change happens when there is top-down and bottom-up pressure—without either one, change stalls. Think of top-down pressure like laws, enforcement of laws, awareness campaigns, or organized activism. Consider bottom-up pressure as neighborhood dialogue, organic media, and grassroots activism. Since most who read this article are part of that bottom-up movement, let’s highlight three ways to take action now.
How to Take Action Today
Start talking about the issue with those you love
Do what I did ten years ago—start talking about the issue of sexual abuse with those you love. The stats will become real for you just like they did for me, but more importantly, you will be instrumental in breaking down the taboo of the issue. Every honest discussion chips away at the stigma and makes change possible. No society has solved a problem without first discussing and naming it.
Educate Yourself on the Impacts and How to Reduce the Risk
Educate yourself on the long-term impacts of abuse on survivors as well as how to reduce risk for today’s kids. The organization I work for, Saprea, has tremendous resources, and so do many others.
Commit to Change
From your learning, choose and change one behavior when interacting with your kids. I recommend focusing on age-appropriate conversations about healthy boundaries, but you may pick something else. The key is to begin with personal change. Societal change happens because individuals commit to changing themselves first.
We have solved significant issues as a country and world. We can do it with sexual abuse as well. Don’t let sterile stats be your only connection to survivors and children. Create a world where survivors can heal, and children can maintain their innocence.
About the Author
Chris Yadon, MPA
Managing Director
As Saprea’s first employee and Executive Director, Chris Yadon collaborated closely with the organization’s founders to launch and establish its operations in 2015. Chris now serves as the Managing Director, leading the organization’s public efforts to drive societal change around the issue of child sexual abuse. He has previously held executive leadership positions for start-up tech and healthcare organizations.
Chris is committed to driving broad societal change to address child sexual abuse and uses his influence as a thought leader and strategist to inspire others to take action. He firmly believes we can collectively create a better future for our children.
A sought-after speaker, Chris inspires audiences with timely topics such as overcoming emotional numbing by learning how to feel again, protecting children from child sexual abuse in a hypersexualized world, and how to intentionally drive societal change. He has been featured across several media platforms where he is requested to contribute as an industry leader and subject matter expert.
Chris received a BA and an MPA degree from Brigham Young University. He is the grateful father of six children: three boys and three girls. He and his wife, Christy, have been married for 28 years.
Recent blogs
Child Sexual Abuse – Turning Statistics into Action and Protecting Kids
Like many of you, the stats of sexual abuse had never sunk in before all my loved ones shared their experiences, but then and now, these figures scream at me. I can no longer look the other way. I can’t discount the discomfort by saying the research must be wrong or that the research responses must have come from somewhere else and someone else.
Read this article
Protecting Kids: Navigating a Hypersexualized World and Reducing Pornography Exposure
There is no quick fix that ensures your child will not purposely consume pornography, but a parent can do specific things that will reduce this risk. It is nearly impossible for a parent to prevent all accidental exposure to pornography. Still, again, a parent can do specific things that will reduce the volume of accidental exposures and their impact.
Read this article
Breaking the Link Between Child Sexual Abuse and Incarceration: A Path to Healing
Research reveals a striking pattern among incarcerated women: up to 66% report experiencing childhood sexual abuse, more than double the rate found in the general female population (31%). While multiple factors contribute to incarceration, this dramatic statistical disparity demands attention.
Read this article
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