Child abuse occurs within every neighborhood and school community across the country. Many reports of child abuse actually are false reports. Most often these situations are an attempt on the part of the child to receive needed attention or occur as a result of an adult's actions, not the child's. Most sex abuse offenses are committed by homosexual males. Pedophiles are individuals whose sexual orientation is children.
Parents can almost always tell if their child has been abused.
However, signs can be subtle and may be presumed to be related to other life stresses. It is critical therefore that children are encouraged to talk with a trusted adult about situations that hurt, confuse or frighten them. The child who has confidence, a positive self image and open communication with supportive adults, is as likely to be abused as an insecure, noncommunicative child. Children who are taken off guard by not knowing that people they care for can sometimes be abusive, and who do not feel empowered to stand up for themselves are much more vulnerable to potential abuse. Teens are usually assaulted by someone they do not know.