Child Sexual Assault

Parents are important. Parents are a child's primary connection to the world, and through you, children learn about the world. Everyday you teach your child about life - the importance of school, exercise, getting a good night's sleep - how to brush their teeth, to pick up toys, how to safely cross the street. The list is endless. When it comes to talking to your child about sexual assault and sexual development, you are equally important.

1 in 3 females will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18.

1 in 6 males will be sexually assaulted before the age of 18.

93% of the time, the abuser is someone the person knows.

These statistics are pretty familiar, but it is always difficult to learn that your own child has been sexually assaulted. We often think that we "should have known" - but in reality it is often very difficult to predict that an assault will occur or when one has occurred. Many offenders seem to be quite nice and trustworthy. Often times the offender is someone you could never imagine harming a child.