Sexual Assault in Teenagers

It is important to carefully consider teen sexual abuse, and how to stop it. One way is education. It is important for teens and adults to understand that sexual abuse of teenagers is wrong, and that it can encompass a variety of sex acts, and that fear, impaired judgment (due to drugs, alcohol or mental state) and coercion can lead to sexual abuse, even though the victim may not actively resist. A victim whose compliance is due to factors other than a desire to engage in sexual activity has not actually consented.

While female teenagers are more likely to be sexually abused that male teenagers, cultural, racial and economic factors do not seem to have an effect on the likelihood of becoming a victim of teen sexual abuse.

Here are some teen sexual abuse statistics:

·         1 in 4 girls (25%) are sexually abused by the age of 18. 

·         1 in 6 boys (17%) are sexually abused by the age of 18. 

·         Most teen sexual abuse victims (7 in 10, or 70%) know their abuser. It is generally a family member, or someone close to the family. 

·         Of female Americans who are raped, 54 percent of them experience this type of sexual abuse for the first time before they are 18. 

·         A victim of one incident of teen sexual abuse is likely to experience further sexual abuse. 

·         Teenagers account for 51% of all reported sexual abuse 

·         Teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 are 3.5 times more likely than the general public to be victims of sexual abuse. 

·         69% of the incidences of teen sexual abuse occur in a residence. 

·         23% of all sexual offenders are under the age of 18 

·         Female victims of teen sexual abuse while in grades 9 through 12 are more likely than others to experience eating disorders, suicidal behavior, pregnancy and risky sexual behaviors.

·         Only about 31% of teen sexual abuse incidents are reported. Social stigma, fear of retribution and the trauma of not being believed all contribute to the lack or reporting.