Offenders almost never seek treatment voluntarily.
Abuse will most likely continue unless a report is made.
Child sexual abuse happens in all racial, religious, and ethnic groups, and at all socioeconomic levels. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan serves children from all school districts in the county. No group is “immune” from sexual abuse; the offender can be a person in any occupation or profession.
Children very rarely lie about being sexually abused.
Less than 5% of reported abuse cases are hoaxes even though the reporting rate is increasing in many parts of the country.
Child sexual abuse is more frequent within families than outside families. Boys are more reluctant to tell about a sexual abuse experience. Disabled children are especially at risk of sexual abuse, especially from people they already know.
Victims often blame themselves for sexual abuse.
But the victim is NEVER at fault! The offender bears the entire responsibility for the molestation, whatever form it takes.
Child sexual abuse is illegal regardless of whether the child “consents” or not. Consent is not an issue.
Every state now has a child abuse reporting statute. Anyone can report suspected cases. Michigan also has a “mandated reporter” law that requires certain persons to report child sexual abuse. More Information
Time matters. The quicker the abuse is discovered and dealt with, the less damage to the victim.
Take a look at the abundant resources available conveniently online that will increase your awareness of the child sexual abuse tragedy and put helpful tools at your disposal.
Helpful Resources and Links.
Michigan Child Protective Services
Children’s Protective Services (CPS) is a program within the Department of Human Services (DHS) responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Michigan Children’s Protection Registry
Allows Michigan residents and schools to register electronic contact points (email & cell phone) that children may access.
Michigan Sex Offender Registry
The Michigan public sex offenders registry established and provided as a result of the sex offender registration act.
Childhelp USA
Our primary purpose is to focus our efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.
KidsCount Database
Access date from al 50 States on well-being of children in each State.
Michigan Crime Victim Compensation
Information on crime victim assistance and compensation. Includes forms and victim’s rights information.
Michigan Children’s Trust Fund
CTF serves as a voice for Michigan’s children and families and promotes their health, safety, and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
The National Children’s Alliance
National Children’s Alliance is a professional membership organization dedicated to helping local communities respond to allegations of child abuse in ways that are effective and efficient – and put the needs of child victims first.
NetSmartz Workshop
NetSmartz offers free, multimedia Internet safety presentations tailored for specific audiences – parents and communities, tweens, teens, and younger children.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, (NCMEC), is a private, (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization which was created in 1984. The mission of the organization is to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. The organization provides information and resources to law enforcement, parents, children including child victims as well as other professionals.
Prevent Child Abuse America
The mission of Prevent Child Abuse America is to “prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children” and includes all forms of abuse and neglect, whether physical, sexual, educational, or emotional.
Darkness to Light
Our programs raise awareness of the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse by educating adults about the steps they can take to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to the reality of child sexual abuse.
Children’s Bureau website which includes annual Child Maltreatment reports based on data from the states to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data Systems.
