Child Sexual Assault Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1 in 7 boys and 1 in 3 girls will be sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18, and the vast majority of them will know their attacker. Unfortunately, the prevalence of sexual assault against children is difficult to quantify, as this is often underreported.

Statistically, children who live in environments characterized by divorce, parental conflict, or domestic violence have a greater risk.

An estimated 1.6 percent of American children ages 12-17 have been victims of sexual abuse or rape, and every 9 minutes, Child Protective Services finds evidence of this. 

The psychological and emotional consequences are incredibly debilitating, affecting many facets of their emotional well-being. Research suggests that they are three times more likely to experience depression and other mental health challenges as adults.

Child Victims Act extends deadlines in New York

The 2019 Child Victims Act extends the statute of limitations in New York for bringing a claim for sexual assault, regardless of when it occurred. People who suffered abuse or sexual assault before their 18th birthday have until August 14, 2020, to file a case for damages. After this date, survivors have until their 55th birthday to pursue litigation.

Douglas & London can help survivors seek the justice and closure they deserve and hold predators responsible for their actions. Call our offices to schedule a confidential consultation with a dedicated Child Victims Act lawyer in New York from our team.

Data on child sexual abuse and assault

Consider the following data on child sexual assault in the U.S.:

• A mere 12 percent
  of child sexual assault cases are reported to authorities
• 34 percent of
  child sexual abuse perpetrators are family members
• 59 percent of
  child sexual assault perpetrators are acquaintances
• 82 percent of all
  sexual abuse victims under the age of 18 are female
• Just over 12
  percent of rape victims are girls aged 10 or younger
• 30 percent of child
  rape victims are girls between the ages of 11 and 17
• Girls aged 16-19
  are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of sexual
  assault or rape
• More than 35
  percent of women who were raped before the age of 18 are raped again as an
  adult
• Nearly 20 percent
  of men were 10 years old or younger when they were raped 
• Children who
  reside in homes with a single parent and their live-in partner are 20 times
  more likely to be victims of sexual assault than children living with both
  parents
• 95 percent of
  child sexual abusers are male, 3.9 percent are female, and the rest are of
  unknown gender 
• 75 percent of
  child sexual abuse victims do not report the abuse for at least 1 year. 40
  percent wait 5 years to tell others, and many others never tell anyone.
• Children who
  suffer sexual abuse or assault are more likely to develop drug dependencies or
  attempt suicide as an adult

Sexual abuse can create emotional scars that last a lifetime, but New York’s Child Victim Act empowers survivors– perhaps some who kept their story a secret out of fear or shame– to use the courts to address their pain and suffering.

What constitutes sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is more than rape or attempted rape. According to New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services, sexual assault includes situations in which a child under 18 years of age is submitted to:

• Having their
  mouth, buttocks, genitals, breasts or other intimate parts touched
• Having
  non-consensual sexual intercourse
• Forced sexual
  activity with an adult or other minors
• Watching sexual
  acts committed by others
• Having video or
  photos taken of them without consent for a sexual performance
• Looking at
  indecent, adult sexual material
• Any other type of
  non-consensual sexual conduct

Find the justice you deserve with Douglas & London

The Child Victims Act affords sexual assault victims the power to come forward to seek justice. Abusers can be family, neighbors, teachers, clergy, and others that you loved and trusted the most. Legal recourse is available in New York. Contact Douglas & London to request a one-on-one consultation today.