On the other hand this may be due to victims dying younger, or older women forgetting or being less forthcoming about traumatic childhood experiences. That childhood sexual abuse is a risk factor for developing depression, PTSD and substance abuse is supported, though the former has not been shown to cause the latter. Prevention efforts may be tailored to the circumstances. At different ages children appear to be vulnerable to different perpetrators. Younger children are at more risk than teenagers from sexual assaults by their own fathers and brothers.
Teens are at more risk than other groups from boyfriends, peers, and strangers.
All are at greatest risk from known non-relatives. The number of child rapes reported to authorities is distressingly low. A history of victimization ought to be routine during clinical mental health examinations. All adult mental health clients should be screened for a history of child rape. Results give clinicians a better overall picture of child rape, allowing them to put a particular case into a realistic context, which may affect assessment and treatment.