Report Highlights:

Child sexual abuse remains a critical concern in the United States, with alarming prevalence and patterns. Each year, 1 in 9 girls and one in 53 boys under age 18 are victims of sexual abuse by an adult.^[1] 

Below are additional insights based on 2024 data:

• 93% of sexually abused children are abused by someone they know and trust.^[2]
• Every 9 minutes, Child Protective Services (CPS) confirms or finds evidence of child abuse.^[3]
• In 2016, Child Protective Services (CPS) recorded 57,329 children as victims of sexual abuse.^[4]
• Teen girls are 4 times more likely to experience rape or assault than the general population, especially those in poverty.^[5]
• 82% of all sexual abuse and assault survivors under 18 are female.^[6]
• In 88% of child sexual abuse cases, males are the perpetrators.^[7]

Understanding the Clery Act and Its Role in Schools

The Clery Act mandates that schools receiving federal funding must disclose information about crimes on or near their campuses, including sexual assault. For middle and high schools, while the act mainly focuses on higher education, its principles encourage transparency and preventive measures:

• Encourages reporting of sexual misconduct in educational settings.
• Promotes the implementation of safety policies that could serve as a model for secondary schools.
• Offers a framework for victim support and crime prevention initiatives.

The Impact of Sexual Assault on Educational Outcomes

Sexual assault can deeply affect a student’s ability to succeed academically. Survivors may face

• declines in academic performance and increased absenteeism,
• higher rates of dropping out due to trauma or stigma, and
• difficulty focusing on schoolwork due to anxiety, PTSD, or depression.

Prevention Strategies for Middle and High Schools

Educational institutions play a pivotal role in preventing sexual abuse. Strategies include

• implementing age-appropriate sexual education programs focusing on consent and boundaries,
• training school staff to recognize and respond to signs of abuse, and
• encouraging bystander intervention through peer education and advocacy.

How Title IX Protects Students Against Sexual Assault

Title IX ensures that students are not subjected to discrimination or harassment based on sex in federally funded schools. Key aspects include

• obligation for schools to respond promptly to reports of sexual harassment or assault,
• requirements to provide a safe and nondiscriminatory environment for all students, and
• the provision of accommodations like schedule adjustments or counseling for survivors.

The Importance of Early Reporting and Support

Reporting abuse can be challenging for young survivors. Schools can help by

• establishing clear reporting protocols for students and staff,
• offering confidential resources, including counselors and hotlines, and
• partnering with local advocacy groups to provide support.

Resources for Help and Support

If you or someone you care about is experiencing or at risk of child sexual abuse, these organizations and resources can offer immediate support, guidance, and information.

National organizations:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN):
  Call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit https://www.rainn.org/ for 24/7 confidential support.
• Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline:
  Call 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) or visit https://www.childhelp.org/ for crisis counseling, information, and referrals.
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC):
  Visit https://www.missingkids.org/ or call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) for assistance with cases of missing or sexually exploited children.
• Love Is Respect:
  Call 1-866-331-9474, text “LOVEIS” to 22522, or visit https://www.loveisrespect.org/ for peer advocacy and resources on healthy relationships.
• The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
  Dial or text 988, or chat via https://988lifeline.org/ if you or someone you know is experiencing distress or contemplating self-harm.

Relevant articles:

• How to Document Abuse and Prove Domestic Violence: Building Your Case
• Know the Warning Signs of Abuse to Protect Yourself and Others
• Sexual Coercion: Definition and Examples
• A Parent’s Guide to Identifying and Preventing Teen Dating Violence
• It Was Never About Clothes: Student’s Haunting Photos Confront Assault Myths
• Domestic Violence Statistics by State 2024
• Domestic Violence Statistics 2024
• U.S. Teen Dating Violence Statistics 2024
• Dating Violence: Understanding Signs and Seeking Help

Sources

1. Finkelhor, D., Shattuck, A., Turner, H. A., & Hamby, S. L. (2014). The lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse and sexual assault assessed in late adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 55(3), 329–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.026

2. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2000). Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident, and offender characteristics. (NCJ 182990). https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/saycrle.pdf

3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Children’s Bureau. (2018). Child maltreatment 2016. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/child-maltreatment-2016

4. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, Children’s Bureau. (2018). Child maltreatment 2016. https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/child-maltreatment-2016

5. Snyder, H. N. (2000). Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident, and offender characteristics. U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (NCJ 182990). https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/saycrle.pdf

6. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2000). Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident, and offender characteristics. (NCJ 182990). https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/saycrle.pdf

7. U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2000). Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident, and offender characteristics. (NCJ 182990). https://bjs.ojp.gov/content/pub/pdf/saycrle.pdf