© 2005 Childrens Advocacy Center
386-238-3830

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What Is Child Abuse?
Child abuse can be physical or sexual. Less frequently, it involves severe emotional abuse and/or neglect.

Physical child abuse leaves terrible outward signs such as cuts, bruises, welts, burns, lacerations, abrasions and bites. Physical abuse can result in head, skeletal and/or internal injuries.

Sexual abuse, on the other hand, rarely leaves outward signs, but its effects can be devastating. Sexual abuse includes fondling, sexual touching, indecent exposure, allowing a child to watch or hear sexual acts or materials, rape or attempted rape. In short, sexual abuse is any kind of sexual activity with a child.
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Who Abuses Children?
Eighty percent of child abuse is committed by someone the child knows and trusts. In fact, the most dangerous place for many children is their own home. Outside the home, children are abused by neighbors, relatives and friends, teachers, ministers, coaches… the list is endless. But contrary to popular belief, more children are hurt by someone they know rather than a stranger. Although this category is the smallest, children must be protected against abuse by strangers, too.

Child abusers may be male or female, young or old, of any race or income level, from the city or from the suburbs. Abusers come from every kind of neighborhood and every kind of community. Some child abusers can be well-dressed, professional people. Many child abusers are friendly, likeable people who are well respected in the community. But these people show a different side behind closed doors.
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What are the Effects of Child Abuse?
Children show the effects of abuse in different ways. Common results are behavior problems, withdrawal, seductive or aggressive behavior, running away, eating disorders, phobias, depression, nightmares, sleep disturbances, suicidal thoughts and attempts, venereal disease, pregnancy, loss of trust, loss of self esteem and… feelings of guilt. Child abuse victims almost always feel that what happened was their fault! They sincerely believe that they did something to bring the pain upon themselves.

Many abusers tell kids that the abuse was their fault so the kids won’t tell what happened. And it works. Many children never tell that they are being hurt. At The Children’s Advocacy Center we see adults of all ages, even people in their 80’s, who are just now, for the first time, telling about childhood abuse. They are just now revealing their hidden pain. And, they are starting on the road to recovery.
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Warning Signs
If a child talks about being abused, always take him or her seriously! Some professionals have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse.

Look for any pattern or unusual location of physical injuries. Never ignore:
• bruises on the face or soft body areas
• welts, burns or bite marks
• pain, swelling or redness in the genital area

Also look for major changes in a child’s behavior. These may include:
• begging for or stealing food
• fear of a specific person or place
• aggressive or withdrawn behavior
• unusual knowledge of sex
• acting out sexually with other children
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Can Child Abuse Victims be Helped?
We know that counseling helps children recover from abuse. We have documented the following post-therapy results:
• Improved School Attendance: average school days attended: 87%
• Improved Grades: Parents who reported improved school grades: 89%
• Improved Behavior: Parents who reported improved behavior: 90%
• Reduction/Elimination of Abuse-Related Symptoms: 91%
• Reduce Risk of Re-Abuse: Number of clients who re-open with a new charge of abuse: 2% or less
• Number of clients referred to counseling who do not attend and who are later referred again with a new charge of abuse: 47%
• Other Positive Changes: 90% of youth and/or parents report the following:
• Child knows self-protective skills to reduce the chance of being re-abused in the future
• Child is able to express that he/she is not responsible for the abuse
• Child shows signs of increased self-esteem and feelings of well-being
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How to Report Child Abuse
If you suspect or know that someone is abusing a child, call the Abuse Hotline:
1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)

Working together we can make the world a safer place for children.
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