Adult Victims of Childhood Abuse

The sexual abuse of children spans all races, ages, ethnic groups and economic backgrounds. Sexual abuse means any kind of unwanted or inappropriate sexual behavior with a child, whether or not there is actual physical contact. Tragically, this kind of abuse is not rare: studies estimate that one in four girls and one in seven boys are sexually abused as children.  

How to Help a Victim

Sexual violence is any unwanted sexual contact. Sexual violence includes such crimes as rape, incest, statutory sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexual assault, or any sexual contact without consent. Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual assault needs compassion, sensitivity, and caring.

This brochure explains what victims feel and how friends and family can help.

When Men Are Victims

In the United States, about 10 percent of reported rapes involve male victims, and many more go unreported. Men and boys are often reluctant to report the crime of sexual assault, or to seek services, because they feel humiliated, shamed or confused by the crime or because they feel that seeking help will make them feel vulnerable or weak. Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault needs compassion, sensitivity and caring, and male victims may also have special needs to consider.

This brochure explains what victims feel and how friends and family can help.

Even Among Friends

We want to trust the people in our lives: our friends, family members and community acquaintances. Unfortunately, the truth is that we are more likely to be sexually assaulted by someone we know: a friend, a relative, an employer, a date or someone we have recently met than by a stranger. Acquaintance rape occurs when someone you know uses physical strength, emotional bargaining, bullying, threats, blackmail, alcohol, drugs or mind games to force you to have sex. If you do not consent freely, and someone has sexual contact with you anyway, it is a crime.

Older Victims

Sexual violence can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of their age or background. Elderly people face difficulties and obstacles in dealing with sexual assault that other people do not, including a harder time reaching out for help and healing physically and emotionally. Many elderly citizens are victimized and abused by the very people they depend on for their physical and mental well-being. In 80% of sexual assaults against the elderly, the victims know their attackers.

Large print type explains how to help a victim or how to get help if you are a victim.

Join FCASV! The Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) serves as a resource to the state on sexual violence issues. The FCASV mission is to lead, educate, advocate, serve and network on behalf of individuals impacted by sexual violence.

This brochure highlights the services and goals of FCASV. A membership form is attached.

The Hidden Victim

Elder victims of sexual assault are often “hidden” in our society. The sexual assault of older individuals often goes undetected and most often comes to light when another crime is being investigated.

Although there has been very little research done on this topic, the information that exists indicates that nationally at least 18 percent of women who are raped each year are aged 60 or older. As with many studies regarding rape, this is probably a very conservative estimate, particularly considering another study that estimates only 30 percent of elder victims report the crime. This is especially relevant in Florida where the largest proportion of people 65 years and older reside compared to anywhere else in the United States.