Child sexual abuse happens in every community and the costs are significant. We hope that you will join us in the movement from passive acceptance to the belief that “There is No Excuse for Sexual AbuseTM.”
In Orange County, CA where TAALK is headquartered, we had 4,974 substantiated incidents of child sexual abuse in 2008. This equates to an average of 414 children reported as victims of child sexual abuse every month and of course, we know that most kids don't tell.
A 1996 study sponsored by the National Institute of Justice summarized the costs of victim crime (Miller, et all., 1996). Using figures presented in this study and converted to 2008 dollars, it can be estimated that the immediate tangible cost of the average substantiated incident of child sexual abuse is $14,345. Extrapolating from this national data, the direct and tangible expense of child sexual abuse in Orange County for 2008 was over $71 million. This includes Child Protective Services involvement, police services, legal and court costs, forensic services and initial treatment but does not begin to address the cost of perpetrator incarceration, the long term medical and psychological treatment of victims or the cost to society in supporting consequences of abuse such as teen pregnancy, addictive behaviors and crime. And of course, there is no way to place a dollar amount on the human toll of child sexual abuse.
You may think this epidemic is too big for you to make a difference but prevention is achieved one child at a time, one day at a time and prevention is actually easier than you might think. When a child says they're going out to ride their bike, we remind them of the safety rules - wear a helmet and stay on the sidewalk. There are safety rules that you and your children can learn that will protect them from child sexual abuse too. It may seem scary to talk with your child about sexual abuse but believe me, it's only scary if you don't talk to them and we can teach you how.
If you have children in your circle of influence, we encourage you to be proactive about your prevention education - review and use the resources below, enroll in our awareness and education programs, actively communicate with other parents through our forums and in your local community, and become an advocate for children by joining your local community coalition.
Resources
Read the following resource pages for referrals to organizations that can support you journey to learn how to protect kids.
National Prevention Organizations
Awareness
We cannot change what we do not acknowledge. As parents and concerned adults, it's important for us to learn to recognize and acknowledge how child sexual abuse has impacted millions of children and society as whole. The links below will guide you to information about the prevalence and consequences of child sexual abuse as well as signs to look for in children and offenders. This information is meant to awaken your consciousness so that you can begin to see the signs of abuse more clearly and better protect the kids in your circle of influence.
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
Download an Awareness Package
Child Sexual Abuse Statistics
Education
As adults, it is our responsibility to do everything in our power to protect children from sexual abuse. 30-40% of abuse is at the hands of a family member and another 50% by someone the child knows and trusts. Protecting children from people we know, trust and love doesn't come naturally, it's a learned skill. We encourage every adult to make a personal decision to get educated on how to better protect kids. Please do your part by taking action on all three of the items below. The kids in your circle of influence are counting on YOU!
Learn to Prevent, Recognize & React Responsibly to Child Sexual Abuse - Enroll in a Class
Subscribe to our Daily Prevention Tips
Read The Socially Skilled Child Molester by Carla van Dam - A Must Read for Every Adult!
Support
Talking comfortably about child sexual abuse and its prevention takes practice but the more you talk about it, the easier it will become. We encourage you to be a role model in your community and break the silence by talking with other parents and concerned adults about this epidemic and encouraging them to join you in learning to protect kids. As community members become more aware of the signs of abuse, we encourage you to share
Recommended Book List
Parents and Concerned Adults Forum - Coming Soon
Subscribe to our Awareness Newsletter
Parent Testimonials
Get Involved
As you increase your knowledge about how prevent child sexual abuse, we hope that you will become an advocate and actively participate in ending this epidemic. There are several ways that you can help below.
Make a Donation
Volunteer your Time
Join your Local Community Coalition
Schedule an Awareness Presentation for your Community
Schedule a Prevention Class for your Community
Learn to give TAALK's Awareness Presentation
Become a Prevention Training Facilitator
Start a Local Survivors Support Group
