Reply #85: I do understand the "outraged disbelief"...

[CoffeeCat]

...because it is difficult to grasp the amount of child-sexual abuse that happens in this country.

However, remaining silent about it and in denial about these widespread crimes--because that makes us all more comfortable--only helps the child molesters.

Research on child sexual abuse repeatedly finds that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys is sexually molested before the age of 18. That's an epidemic. Statistics also demonstrate that most child molestations are perpetrated by a close family member. Those are very staggering numbers and they are very difficult to digest. It's disconcerting. You don't want to believe it when you hear it.

However, the only way to "cure" this problem is to face the reality--so children no longer suffer in silence while perpetrators remain accountable for these crimes.

We are making progress. A few decades ago, there were very few resources for survivors and children had no means of protecting themselves. Today, therapists understand the effect childhood sex abuse can have (PTSD), and programs in schools help children to identify abusive behavior and to speak out. It's a start.