7 myths about child sexual abuse (pedophilia)

The childhood sexual abuse (pedophilia) it is a problem of vital importance for the mental health of the people who suffer it.

This kind of abuse has been considered a risk factor for the development of a variety of psychiatric disorders, including the schizophrenia, dissociative disorder or depression.

Child sexual abuse: invisible and ignored

Even so, at a social level it is a not very visible issue, with a high number of unreported cases and associated with a significant number of myths that influence the general knowledge of the problem. Some beliefs that distort the vision of this type of abuse at a social level, that can influence stigma towards victims and create resistance to reporting these cases.

Therefore, It is important to know these myths in order to provide real and contrasted information about this phenomenon. so that it can be addressed more effectively. In this article we will explore seven of the myths that I consider most relevant:

Myth 1: Child sexual abuse is not as common as it is claimed.

The truth is that this type of abuse is more widespread than we think. It is estimated that one in four girls and one in six to eight boys have suffered sexual abuse in childhood.

Recent studies indicate that the prevalence in Spain of child sexual abuse is 19% in women, and 15.5% in men. Many of the victims never disclose the abuse, which, by going unnoticed by the authorities, these figures could be higher

Myth 2: Girls are at higher risk than boys

Prevalence studies indicate that women suffer more sexual abuse during childhood, but these results may be influenced by reporting bias.

It is believed that men may find it more difficult to relieve abuse, due to cultural stereotypes of masculinity and initiators of sexual relationships.

Myth 3: Bullies are people unknown to the victim

The literature shows us that, in approximately 80-85% of cases, the abuser was known to the victimeven from his own family circle.

In Spain it is observed that in cases where the victim is under 13 years of age, between 23.7 and 29.3% of the cases the aggressor was a stranger. These numbers increase among the cases where the victim is between 13 and 18 years old, and it can be observed that between 20% of women and 54.5% of men were abused by a stranger.

Myth 4: Childhood sexual abuse only occurs in certain dysfunctional social classes, cultures, or families

Childhood sexual abuse occurs in all cultures, communities and social classes. This myth can limit prevention, since it ignores that this type of abuse can happen to anyone, and the same happens when it comes to dysfunctional families.

These types of abuses are independent of family functionality, as abusers can gain the trust of both functional and dysfunctional families.

Myth 5: All sexual abusers were abused in their childhood.

Some of the abusers have been victims of sexual abuse during their childhood, but this is not a generalized fact, since studies indicate that one in eight victims of child sexual abuse ends up sexually abusing boys or girls.

This myth is used by abusers to gain sympathy or to rationalize their abusive tendencies.

Myth 6: abusers are only men

The literature suggests that between 20-25% of sexual abuse cases have been perpetrated by women. This myth is based on the belief that women are caregivers and are not capable of being aggressive towards children.

Children under 5 years of age and adolescents are at the highest risk of being victims of women.

Myth 7: Abused children know what is wrong and would reveal it

Minors are not necessarily aware that this type of activity is wrong: the technique of "grooming", groom in Spanish, It is used by pedophiles to win the friendship and trust of minors Before the abuse starts

By means of this technique, he ensures that the minor does not want to lose friendship with the abuser, or violate his trust, since they consider that their relationship is special, and therefore, they do not explain to anyone this abuse of him.

I hope this information has been useful and helps to understand this phenomenon much better.