Everyone has a responsibility to protect children from abuse

One of Community Against Violence’s (CAV) most critical yet heart-wrenching tasks is handling cases of sexual abuse of a child.

Our children are, by their very nature, vulnerable to others who have power over them. In most cases, that power is used in a responsible and loving way. A parent, guardian, relative or familiar adult is seen as someone children can trust to help them navigate the world, show them how to behave toward others, and guide them as they reach adolescence and beyond.

In a perfect world, our children grow up healthy and safe. The years of childhood and adolescence are not always easy, but watchful support and advice from family, friends and mentors gives every child a chance to develop into healthy adults. Children are constantly learning social norms and what is expected or appropriate in relationships. And, in a perfect world, they show healthy and common expressions of sexuality as they move from childhood to adolescence and into adulthood.

But sadly, not all children grow up in perfect worlds. Parents and children face more challenges in today’s complex society than ever. Developing a healthy sexual lifestyle is among the most treacherous of those challenges.

We wish no child would ever be sexually abused, but we know it happens all too often. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (rainn.org) estimates that in the U.S. a child under the age of 18 is sexually assaulted every nine minutes. That equals about 60,000 children a year. The data shows we have a long way to go:

• Of all victims under 18, onethird of them are under the age of

12.

• One in nine girls are sexually assaulted before they reach 18.

• Of all victims of sexual abuse of a child, 82 percent are female.

• Females between the ages of 16 and 19 are four times more likely to be victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault.

• More than 90 percent of all perpetrators of sexual assault on a child are known to the victim.

• About 75 percent of all child cases were perpetrated by a parent.

• More than half of all sexual assaults occur in the victim’s home.

The long-term effects of being sexually assaulted at a young age are well-documented. Victims are nearly four times more likely to abuse drugs, four times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and three times more likely be develop episodes of mental depression as an adult.

Looking at all this alarming information, one might conclude there is little that can be done. But nothing could be further from the truth.

It’s difficult for any of us to get ahead of child abuse so it can be prevented before it occurs. But CAV has built strong programs that serve to inform our community about the causes and effects of child abuse, and what we can all do to prevent it. CAV’s prevention, outreach and education programs provide age-appropriate presentations for schools and community groups on abuse and respect, dating violence, conflict resolution, sexual harassment, child abuse, and healthy relationship skills.

As the most vulnerable of us all, children often cannot or will not let us know they are being abused. It is paramount that our community work to, first and foremost, educate ourselves and others on how to live, love and behave in a non-abusive way. Secondly, it is important that we talk to the children in our lives about sexual abuse. And lastly, it is important for us all to be able to recognize the signs of child abuse, and to do whatever we can to keep our children safe.

If you suspect that a child is being abused, please use CAV’s 24-hour HELPline at 575-758-9888 or the 24-hour TEXTline at 575770-2706.

Joella Ann Montoya is the executive director of Community Against Violence (CAV), which offers free confidential support and assistance for child and adult survivors of sexual and domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and child/elder abuse; community and school violence prevention programs; re-education groups for people using power and control in their relationships; counseling; shelter; transitional housing; and a community thrift store. To talk or get information on services, call CAV’s 24-hour HELPline at 575758-9888 or 24-hour TEXTline 575-770-2706. Visit TaosCAV.org to learn more.

Joella Ann Montoya