Experts estimate that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 8 boys under the age of 18 will be involved in some form of forced sexual experience with an adult. Most child sexual abuse is committed by someone who knows the child. The offender is usually a family member, babysitter, trusted friend, acquaintance or a person who regularly comes into contact with the child. They come from all social, racial, and economic backgrounds. Although the majority of abuser are males, there are also documented cases of female abusers.
Children are vulnerable to sexual abuse from infancy through early adulthood.
They are naturally trusting and curious. They enjoy affection and attention from adults. Sexual abuse often starts with a long process where harmless touching gradually crosses over the line to sexual touching. The child may not realize that the touching has become inappropriate. Physical force is seldom used because the child usually trusts or depends upon the offender.