Few traumatized teens report their attacker

Only one in 10 sexually-abused teenagers report their abuse. According to The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker: 32.4% are family members and 58.7% are acquaintances. These statistics reveal the victim's reluctance to report the assault, as he or she feels responsible for the attack and does not want a family member or friend arrested for something the victim "caused."

Although there are physical signs to sexual abuse, most will go unnoticed if the assault has not been reported. Therefore, it is important to recognize behavioral changes that may indicate when a teen has been victimized. Abused individuals might run away, become promiscuous attempt suicide, or turn to drug use.

Other more subtle behavioral changes may be harder to recognize. A teenager could begin acting more withdrawn, not spending as much time with friends, or appear unhappy. Frequently, a sexually abused teen's behavior becomes more troubled as time passes. While it is important not to think of every "different" behavior as a sign of abuse, it is imperative to be aware of signs that may point to someone being abused.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Society for the Advancement of Education
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group