News & Events
CURRENT EVENTS
On Saturday, Nov. 5, Attorney General Linda Kelly announced that criminal charges have been filed against a former Penn State University coach along with two school officials as the result of a grand jury investigation into multiple reports of the child sexual abuse. In the report, former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is charged with 40 counts related to child sexual abuse. Meanwhile, the university's Athletic Director Timothy M. Curley and Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Gary C. Schultz are charged with perjury and failure to report child sexual abuse allegations to authorities. Schultz has stepped down from his post and Curley has taken administrative leave amid the allegations. To view the report, visit www.attorneygeneral.gov.
Children should be protected from acts of sexual abuse. Above the protection of the reputation of an individual or organization, professionals who work with children area mandated to report suspected child sexual abuse to ChildLine (800-932-0313) or local law enforcement officials. Additionally, any adult who suspects child abuse is permitted to report their suspicions, also to ChildLine (800-932-0313) or local law enforcement officials.
If you aren’t sure what to do and would like to talk to a specifically trained sexual assault counselor you can contact NOVA at 1-800-675-6900.
NOVA provides trainings on Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse for adults working with children. (link to flyer) To schedule training, contact NOVA at 215-343-6543.
ABOUT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Child sexual abuse is a violation of trust and power that can affect children of all ages, from birth to age 17. Abuse can be in many forms including sexual acts such as rape and other types of penetration, inappropriate touching, voyeurism, exhibitionism, pornography, child sexual exploitation and Internet based child sexual abuse. Many victims don’t talk about the abuse. Children feel confused when a person they know and trust violates them. Many people who sexually abuse children will manipulate or threaten the child in an attempt to keep their victim silent. Children want the abuse to stop, but fear what might happen if they report it.
STATISTICS
• Both boys and girls are vulnerable to the abuse. Research shows that one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. [1] Some research shows that as many as one in three girls and one in seven boys will be sexually abused by age of 17 (Briere & Elliott, 2003).
• Most people who sexually abuse children are adults and are usually known by the child. (93% of victims know their perpetrator). Of those who sexually abuse children, nearly 77% are adults and 23% are juveniles. [2]
• Reports show 96% of people who sexually abused a child are male. [2]
• In 2010, there were 3,051 total sexual injuries to children in Pennsylvania, according to Department of Public Welfare’s 2010 Annual Child Abuse Report. This includes rapes, sexual assaults, statutory sexual assaults and sexual explicit conduct for visual depiction.
• Throughout Pennsylvania, 51 rape crisis centers provide service to nearly 8,000 children each year.
WARNING SIGNS
Sometimes the signs of abuse are obvious, but most often, they are not. Symptoms of child sexual abuse can include physical injuries, bedwetting, headaches, mood and emotional changes, inappropriate sexual behavior or increased talk about sexuality in an age inappropriate way. However, most offenders try not to inflict obvious, physical injuries to avoid being detected.
HEALTH EFFECTS
The effects of child sexual abuse can affect the victim for many years and into adulthood. Several multi-decade studies have documented that people with child sexual abuse histories experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance use disorders, suicidal tendencies and chronic illness such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes than people who were not abused. Issues with trust, self- esteem and emotional regulation can result in problems in interpersonal relationships. Additionally, high levels of anxiety in these adults can result in self-destructive behaviors. According to the American Psychological Association, many victims encounter problems in their adult relationships. The effects of abuse can also impact educational attainment, job retention and earnings.
RESCOURCES, HELP & PREVENTION
- Education and resources: Through education, people can more readily identify offender behaviors and be confident enough to report any suspicions they have to authorities.
- Adverse Childhood Experience Study analyzes the relationship between categories of childhood trauma and health/behavioral outcomes later in life. Visit www.acestudy.org for more information on the study or contact NOVA to schedule training on the ACE study.
- Work together: Adults can invite NOVA to talk about prevention and intervention of child abuse.
- Engaging bystanders: Adults can talk about what they learn and instruct others how to intervene if they hear or see something that doesn’t seem appropriate. This method is commonly called the “bystander approach” and engages everyone in prevention efforts.
- Talk about it: Parents, guardians and caregivers can foster open communication with children, establish personal boundaries, help children identify adults they can trust, monitor children’s online usage and be role models by promoting healthy relationships.
Who sexually abuses children?
The abuser is most likely someone the child knows and trusts, not the stranger lurking at the playground. Abusers may be fathers, mothers, stepparents, grandparents, uncles, cousins, neighbors, babysitters, coaches and spiritual leaders.
Abusers often start by using special attention to trick a child into trusting them and then violate that trust with words and touches. Please be aware of warning signs of an abuser.
Most children never tell.
Reporting abuse gives victims a voice.
BREAK THE SILENCE.
[1] Tjaden, P. and Thoennes, N. (2000). Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice. www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/183781.pdf
[2] Snyder, H. N. (2000) Sexual assault of young children as reported to law enforcement: Victim, incident and offender characteristics (NCJ 182990). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved from Bureau of Justice Statistics: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/saycrle.pdf
No Go Tell Storybook for Purchase
Looking for a tool to help you talk to children about child abuse prevention and personal safety? NOVA has a book and coloring book designed for preschool and elementary age children to support the personal safety rules NO-GO-TELL. Call today to find out how to purchase your copy! 215-343-6543 or e-mail mandy@novabucks.org. Click here for an order form.
Donate Used Cell Phones To NOVA
“Good Community Neighbor Program”
NOVA wants your old cell phones. Have you tossed your old cell phone into a drawer? Drop it off at: NOVA’s office in Jamison, or at the NOVA Thrift Shop. NOVA sends used cell phones to Shelter Alliance where they are responsibly recycled (protects the environment) or reused. NOVA receives a monthly check based on the number of phones sent.
The proceeds help NOVA continue to provide counseling and medical and legal accompaniment for victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in Bucks County and offer education, prevention and safety programs to schools and the community. Services are free and confidential.
Drop your old cell phones and batteries (but no accessories, boxes or instructions) off at:
NOVA
2370 Old York Rd., Suite B-1
Jamison, PA 18929
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
Find out how your office or business can participate…
Questions? Call 215-343-6543
NOVA Newsletters
Download NOVA's newsletters for more information about our programs and organization.
2011 Fall Newsletter
2011 Summer Newsletter
2011 Winter Newsletter
NOVA Letters to the Editor
Read the letter to the editor of The Intelligencer from December 25, 2011 entitled "Sexual Assault Victims, We're Here to Help"
Read the letter to the editor of The Intelligencer from January 19, 2010 entitled "Stalking is a Crime of Violence"
Read the letter to the editor of The Intelligencer from August 4, 2010 entitled "Prevent Bullying this School Year"