This is what the statistics say:
- That child sexual abuse is defined as “the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or the rape, and in cases of caretaker or inter-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children.”? (as defined in the Afya Kenya Foundation blog)
- That this abuse includes activities such as fondling a child’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, sodomy, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.
- That most (up to 71.5%) of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by people known to the victim, that is, people that the child knows and trusts?
- That the most unsafe venue where this kind of abuse takes place is the home?
Click on this link to find out more about the #Love2Life campaign against Child Sexual Abuse
I, and I'm sure many of you parents, remind our children about the dangers of accepting gifts from strangers, talking to strangers, following strangers who promise them sweets, chips and all things sweet that kids often crave. With valid reason, definitely. But what about the 'strangers' we know or think we know well? 'Stranger' because it turns out that we really do not know them at all.
Ask any abused child. Their parents probably knew the abuser well, even trusted them with their children's safety. Can you imagine what position this puts the child in? The parents trust the 'stranger' as a friend, maybe they are even relatives they have out the child in this person's care. What chance does the child have?
Where and how does the child begin to tell you parents that your 'friend' or relative is or has abused you?
Let's be careful. Be constantly aware. Let's open our eyes. Let us look and see. Let us know our children and most importantly let us take time to listen to our children. They do not lie about issues such as this and by listening, you may be able to act before it is too late!
