Aim Media Indiana

Child sexual abuse appears to be increasing in our area or it could be there is greater awareness of this traumatic problem and therefore more cases are being reported.

As The Republic’s Andy East reported last Sunday, “As of the end of June, there had been nine substantiated cases in Bartholomew County and 49 in the region, putting the five-county region (also including Jackson, Jennings, Johnson and Shelby counties) on pace for a 40% increase in substantiated cases this year compared to last year.”

Family Service Inc. is sponsoring free monthly training sessions to help members of the community recognize the signs of child sex abuse in an effort to reduce life-altering violations of young and vulnerable people. We applaud these efforts, recognizing that awareness is key to prevention.

But even if you can’t make it to a monthly training, you can find valuable insights in the Darkness to Light training materials that are free and available online at d2l.org.

“Abusers can be neighbors, friends and family members. People who sexually abuse children can be found in families, schools, churches, recreation centers, youth sports leagues and any other place children gather,” Darkness to Light says. “Many abusers are youth themselves or are situational offenders.”

According to the organization, about 90% of child victims know their abuser, 60% of abusers are acquaintances, teachers, neighbors or community leaders, 30% of children are abused by immediate or extended family and just 10% of victims are abused by a stranger.

Prevention is complicated because in many cases, the abuser is someone with a position of trust and abuse is a crime of opportunity. It’s important to know warning signs of possible abuse, and the online or in-person training materials provide valuable insights.

That said, a far more effective strategy to reduce child sex abuse is training young people healthy developmental strategies.

“By allowing children the ability to form secure and supportive connections and relationships, develop self-worth and feel a sense of belonging, they can become more resilient and protected from harm,” Darkness to Light says.

Children are less likely to be victimized when they are comfortable discussing emotions and feelings with family, have a supportive family in difficult times, have a supportive friend or friends and feel safe and protected in their homes, research says.

“There were 2,394 substantiated cases (of child sex abuse) in Indiana last year, or about one case, on average, every 3 hours and 40 minutes. Research by the Crimes Against Children Research Center suggests that 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys nationwide is a victim of child sexual abuse,” East reported.

And yet extensive research suggests those numbers are likely far lower than the actual number of cases. Darkness to Light estimates only 38% of child victims disclose sexual abuse, and some victims never do.

That’s why it’s vital that young people understand that they can safely report abuse and that adults fulfill their lawful obligation to report suspected abuse. Anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect should call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-800-5556.