Child Sexual Assault Statistics

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1 in 7 boys and 1 in 3 girls will be sexually assaulted before they reach the age of 18, and the vast majority of them will know their attacker. Unfortunately, the prevalence of sexual assault against children is difficult to quantify, as this is often underreported.

Statistically, children who live in environments characterized by divorce, parental conflict, or domestic violence have a greater risk.

An estimated 1.6 percent of American children ages 12-17 have been victims of sexual abuse or rape, and every 9 minutes, Child Protective Services finds evidence of this.

The psychological and emotional consequences are incredibly debilitating, affecting many facets of their emotional well-being. Research suggests that they are three times more likely to experience depression and other mental health challenges as adults.

Child Victims Act extends deadlines in New York

The 2019 Child Victims Act extends the statute of limitations in New York for bringing a claim for sexual assault, regardless of when it occurred. People who suffered abuse or sexual assault before their 18th birthday have until August 14, 2020, to file a case for damages. After this date, survivors have until their 55th birthday to pursue litigation.

Douglas & London can help survivors seek the justice and closure they deserve and hold predators responsible for their actions. Call our offices to schedule a confidential consultation with a dedicated Child Victims Act lawyer in New York from our team.

Data on child sexual abuse and assault

Consider the following data on child sexual assault in the U.S.:

A mere 12 percent of child sexual assault cases are reported to authorities
34 percent of child sexual abuse perpetrators are family members
59 percent of child sexual assault perpetrators are acquaintances
82 percent of all sexual abuse victims under the age of 18 are female
Just over 12 percent of rape victims are girls aged 10 or younger
30 percent of child rape victims are girls between the ages of 11 and 17
Girls aged 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of sexual assault or rape
More than 35 percent of women who were raped before the age of 18 are raped again as an adult
Nearly 20 percent of men were 10 years old or younger when they were raped
Children who reside in homes with a single parent and their live-in partner are 20 times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than children living with both parents
95 percent of child sexual abusers are male, 3.9 percent are female, and the rest are of unknown gender
75 percent of child sexual abuse victims do not report the abuse for at least 1 year. 40 percent wait 5 years to tell others, and many others never tell anyone.
Children who suffer sexual abuse or assault are more likely to develop drug dependencies or attempt suicide as an adult

Sexual abuse can create emotional scars that last a lifetime, but New York’s Child Victim Act empowers survivors– perhaps some who kept their story a secret out of fear or shame– to use the courts to address their pain and suffering.

What constitutes sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse is more than rape or attempted rape. According to New York State’s Office of Children and Family Services, sexual assault includes situations in which a child under 18 years of age is submitted to:

Having their mouth, buttocks, genitals, breasts or other intimate parts touched
Having non-consensual sexual intercourse
Forced sexual activity with an adult or other minors
Watching sexual acts committed by others
Having video or photos taken of them without consent for a sexual performance
Looking at indecent, adult sexual material
Any other type of non-consensual sexual conduct

Find the justice you deserve with Douglas & London

The Child Victims Act affords sexual assault victims the power to come forward to seek justice. Abusers can be family, neighbors, teachers, clergy, and others that you loved and trusted the most. Legal recourse is available in New York. Contact Douglas & London to request a one-on-one consultation today.