What is child sexual abuse?

Alpine County Women's Center has served child victims of sexual abuse since 1999.

Those who sexually abuse children first try to gain the trust of their intended victims so that they can groom the child, or try to engage the child in behaviors that will eventually lead to the abusive acts. That means that most sexual abusers are adults that their victims initially know and trust, people who are familiar to them.

Keeping children safe from sexual abuse is everyone's responsibility.

Children are taught through abuse prevention education to "say no, get away, and tell an adult they trust" but it is the adults responsibility to to try and protect children from sexual abuse in the first place.

Don't allow children to be alone with any adult you suspect may have a history or inclination toward inappropriate touching and sexual abuse of children.

Ask your children lots of questions.

Educate yourself about the realities of child sexual assault to keep the children living in your community safe.

It is important to understand child sexual abuse/molestation and how it affects victims. Child sexual abuse is defined as any sexual activity with a child. Child sexual abuse can be physical and or non-physical. Physical child sexual abuse is fondling or inappropriate touching of a child, rape or attempted rape and/or using a child to create pornography. Non-physical child sexual abuse consists of indecent exposure, talking explicitly to a child about to spark his/her curiosity, and allowing a child to hear or view sexual acts or materials.

Sexual abusers may often use the internet as a tool to attract children and transmit pornography. Incidents of abuse can occur only once or can be repeated over several years.

The effects of child sexual abuse can be serious or long lasting for the victim; indicators are often recognizable if you know what to look for.

Emotional indicators of child sexual abuse are: behavioral problems, depression, anxiety, and confusion about identity, nightmares or trouble sleeping.

Victims of abuse my have difficulty forming close relationships and often carry guilt or shame.

Physical indicators can be: injuries to the genital area, painful urination or stomach aches, and sexually transmitted diseases.

If you are concerned about someone you know, or if you are aware of a child who might be in danger, please call the Alpine County Women's Center's 24-hour confidential crisis line at (888) 750-6444 to discuss your concerns.

You can also call Jennifer Kline at the business center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at (530) 694-1853. Alpine County Women's Center is located in Markleeville at 14810 Highway 89.