Jfcblog’s Blog

MYTH- After undergoing treatment, adult child sexual offenders will not repeat the offense.

FACT- After undergoing treatment or imprisonment, it is likely that all sexual offenders will repeat the crime.

-Written by Nashilla Alibhai

Myth- Of all sexual abuse cases, the majority discloses their abuse to someone they trust.

FACT-  Estimates suggest that only 3% of all cases of child sexual abuse  (1) and only 12% of rapes involving children are ever reported to police due to the severity of the rape, the number of rapes, and the younger the age of the child, and a family relationship with the perpetrator (2).

(1) Finklehor, D., & Dziuba-Leatherman, J. (1994). Children as Victims of Violence: A National Survey. Pediatrics, 94 (4, :413-420.)                                                                                 

(2) Hanson, R.F., Resnick H.S., Saunders, B.E., Kilpatrick, D.G., & Best, C. (1999). Factors related to the reporting of childhood rape. Child Abuse & Neglect, 23, 559-69

Myth- With time, child victims of sexual abuse get over the past.

Fact-  Along with other emotional issues, child sexual abuse has been shown to result in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in as many as 36% of adult survivors and 66% when the abuse included penetration.

-Written by Nashilla Alibhai

MYTH- More boys than girls are likely to tell someone about the sexual abuse.

FACT- Boys seem to have a particularly difficult time dealing with sexual abuse and are even less likely to report it than girls due to him blaming himself, the severity of the abuse, the belief that no one would believe him or labeled homosexual (1).

(1) Hunter, J.A., Goodwin, D.W., & Wilson, R.J. (1992). Attributions of blame in child sexual abuse victims: An analysis of age and gender influences. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 1, 75-89.

MYTH-  A child sexual offender usually does it once to the victim.

FACT-  Sexual abuse typically occurs within a long-term, on-going relationship between the offender and victim, escalates over time and lasts an average of four years.

-Christine Courtois, Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy, WW Norton & Co, New York, 1998.

MYTH-  Children tend to exaggerate the truth and are prone to make false accusations of sexual abuse.

FACT- Studies have found that children often minimize and deny, rather than embellish what has happened to them even though there is medical evidence of sexual abuse.

-Written by Nashilla Alibhai

MYTH- All sexual abuse predators are victims of child sexual abuse.

FACT- Only 1/3 of convicted sexual abusers are victims themselves.

-Written by Nashilla Alibhai

MYTH-Youth who are visiting with online sexual predators are curious about sex.

FACT- While this may be true, the majority have histories of sexual and physical abuse offline.

-Written by Nashilla Alibhai

MYTH-  By placing the list of names of the sexual offenders known to the public we are helping to reduce them from committing again and safeguarding our children.

FACT-  The intent of the registries is to protect the public from convicted offenders, but it may prohibit the rehabilitation of offenders and their reintegration into the community by social isolation, unemployment and housing, and being subjected to violence and threats.

- Written by Nashilla Alibhai

MYTH- Once a juvenile is convicted as a child sexual offender, it is required that their identity be known to the public.

FACT-  As of 2007, only 36 states have passed laws requiring juvenile sex offenders to register as adults when they become 17 with authorities usually names, addresses, photos and type of offense on the public, usually through the internet.

- Written by Nashilla Alibhai