Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse

Image courtesy http://www.thetruthaboutforensicscience.com/is-the-child-victim-of-sexual-abuse-telling-the-truth-sometimes-forensic-science-can-help-decide

The #1 sexual abuser is a parent. That’s right. Studies show this is fact.

BREAKDOWN OF PERPETRATOR OR SEXUAL PREDATOR:

• Parent 79%
• Other relative 7%
• Other 5%
• Unknown / missing 4%
• Unmarried partner of parent 4%
• Child daycare provider 1%
• Foster parent <1%
• Friends / neighbors <1%
• Residential facility staff <1%
• Legal guardian <1%
• Other professional <1%

Childhood sexual abuse is a scary thought, but it is more real than most would like to admit. It is an even scarier thought that a parent is most likely to be the offender.

Always know about your spouse’s upbringing before marrying him or her and especially before having kids. Child sexual abuse is a pattern passed down from parent to child, or family member to family member.

If your spouse was abused growing up, he or she needs to be open about it either to you or a therapist. On the same token, you as a spouse should be loving and supportive since the trauma was not his or her fault. He or she needs to be aware of the effects of the trauma so that patterns are not repeated. People sexually abused as children are at higher risk of abusing their children.

You need to keep your children safe and you also want to be supportive of your spouse as well while he or she heals.