WHY ARE SO MANY CHILDREN AFRAID TO TELL SOMEONE WHAT IS HAPPENING?

• It is estimated that less than one in twelve children will tell.
• As children come to understand that is happening, they may be ashamed of what they wrongly believe is their participation in the abuse or that they somehow encouraged the abuse.
• They may have been threatened into silence. Threats may be directed at the child, at other family members, or perhaps at the child’s pet.
• They may be afraid no one will believe them. Sometimes they do try to tell, only to be hushed by family members who warn that it’s not "nice" to talk about those things. The child may even face punishment for telling.
• They may not have the words to explain what is going on.
• The abuser may have said, "If you tell, I’ll be sent to jail, and it will be all your fault."

Keep in mind that children are used to doing what they are told. They are used to having adults touch them. They are used to have adults do things they don’t understand.

Learn more about how children are "groomed" to be sexually abused.