To the editor:
I am responding to your June 2007 article, “Breaking the Silence” regarding child sexual abuse. Thank you for bringing attention to this serious and prevalent problem. Sexual assault is a crime of violence where perpetrators are motivated out of a need to feel powerful by controlling, dominating or humiliating the victim. Far too often, perpetrators choose children because their naiveté and trusting nature makes them vulnerable and easy to manipulate. Children often seek approval from adults and are easily scared into remaining silent about their abuse.
Unfortunately, child sexual abuse remains a taboo topic in our society; something that is not discussed. People find it safer to assume that sexual abuse is a rare occurrence happening in another family, to another child, or in a different community. However, there are far too many statistics proving this to be untrue.
Child sexual abuse and incest are two of the most common types of sexual violence reported to Maine’s sexual assault support centers each year.
A recent study found that nearly one in five adult Maine residents report that they have been the victim of rape or attempted rape during their lifetime; 28.5 percent of female respondents and 7.4 percent of male respondents have experienced this devastating crime at some point in their lives.
Children are often sexually assaulted by someone they know and trust — 93 percent of juvenile sexual assault victims know the offender, 59 percent of them are acquaintances of the offender, and 34.2 percent are victimized by family members.
Sexual violence does not discriminate; anyone can be victimized, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status or geographic location. In Maine, victims/survivors of sexual assault — including child sexual abuse — are not alone. There are free services, which can help lessen the trauma of sexual assault and support victim/survivors through their healing processes. These services, available through the ten sexual assault support centers, include a toll-free confidential sexual assault crisis and support line (available 24 hours a day), support groups, referrals to mental health and other professionals, advocacy for victims/survivors who choose to go through the medical and/or legal system, and school- and community-based education. These services can be accessed by calling the support line at 1-800-871-7741 (or TTY: 1-888-458-5599), or visiting the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s website at: www.mecasa.org.
Sarah Stewart, Public Awareness Coordinator
Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault