Adult perpetrators of sexual abuse do everything they can to get into institutions where there are children. In some cases, older or physically larger children are the perpetrators of sexual assault. Any institution that houses, educates, or cares for children can potentially be the location where sexual abuse occurs, including:
Military Schools. Parents send their children to military schools expecting military discipline and strict supervision. A military school is the last place a parent may expect sexual abuse to occur. Unfortunately, the reality is that numerous military schools have failed to protect their students from sexual assault and violent physical hazing.
Private Schools. Private schools and boarding schools produce some of the most well-educated students from successful families. No parent would expect that these institutions fail to supervise faculty or immediately terminate adults who sexually abuse students. But a private school often cares more about its own reputation and prestige than the students it educates.
Daycare Centers and In-Home Daycare. Children at daycare are often the most vulnerable due to their age and inability to verbalize what is happening while they are there. But daycare centers often fail to properly screen and supervise the adults working at the institution.
Public Schools. At a public school most parents have the expectation that the school should be an open book with respect to what is happening at the school. Those same parents often find the opposite. Known perpetrators of sexual harassment and assault may even be walking the halls of the school, and the school will not warn the parents.
Youth Sports Teams and Athletic Programs. Coaches have a special relationship with their athletes. A strong bond is formed as the coach and athlete spend long periods of time together. This relationship can be even more strong when the athlete is a child and experiencing his or her first major life accomplishment. Consequently, an adult abuser can often take advantage of this special relationship.
Clergy and Religious Institutions. Children can be particularly vulnerable to clergy, priests, and other adults in religious institutions. Parents place enormous trust in their religious leaders. A parent may also fear challenging the priest or institution, particularly when other parishioners rally around the perpetrator rather than the victim.