Child Abuse: Myths and Facts

Child abuse is a deeply troubling issue that affects millions of children each year, yet many people still hold misconceptions about what it looks like and who it impacts. These myths can prevent children from getting the help they need and make it harder for adults to recognize signs of abuse or take action. Understanding the truth about child abuse- how it happens, who is at risk, and how it can be prevented- is essential for creating safer communities and supporting survivors. In this post, we’ll break down some of the most common myths about child abuse and replace them with facts grounded in research and real-world experience, helping to build awareness and promote more informed, compassionate responses. 

Myth #1: Incest and sexual abuse are so uncommon that they almost never happen. 

Fact: Child sexual abuse is much more common than many assume. Around 90% of abused children know, love and trust their abuser- whether a family member, family friend, or someone else in their life (CHILD USA). Research also indicates that in as many as one in three identified cases, the perpetrator is a close family member (Pusch, 2021). 

Myth #2: The act of sexual abuse usually involves force. 

Fact: While some acts of child sexual abuse involve force, many do not. Non-physical abusive behaviors include exposing a child to pornography, encouraging them to perform sexual acts, watching them undress or use the bathroom, or exposing one’s genitals- often happening under the guise of affection or “games” (Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, 2024). It is also important to note that abusers may groom children so subtly that the child experiences physical pleasure, not pain, during the abuse. Many survivors report that their bodies sometimes responded with tingling sensations or even orgasms, which causes confusion and shame. However, having a pleasurable response does not mean the child consented; the body can react to touch even when the experience is abusive (Vandervoort et al., 2024).   

Myth #3: The person who commits the abuse is most often someone the child does not know. 

Fact: In most child abuse cases, the offender is someone the child knows and trusts, not a stranger. According to the CDC (2024), about 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone known to the victim or their family, such as parents, siblings, extended relatives, teachers, coaches, religious leaders, or other adults in a position of care or authority. This means abusers are often people children rely on for care, protection, and emotional support, which makes recognizing and preventing abuse much more challenging.   

Myth #4: Sexual abuse is so unusual and abnormal that only very “sick” and “disturbed” people would commit it. 

Fact: The majority of child sexual abuse offenders are male, and they are not always “monsters” in the way people imagine. According to data from the Crimes Against Children Research Center, men account for a very high proportion of perpetrators, many of whom are people the child already knows like family members or acquaintances.  

Although earlier frameworks like Williams’ (1981) “introversive,” “psychopathic,” and “psychosexual” classifications were widely influential, recent research paints a more complex picture. Many offenders are ordinary young men rather than exclusively isolated or psychopathic individuals. Their abusive behavior often hides behind trust, authority, or familiarity; these are often “ordinary” people who exploit relationships rather than violent strangers (Hartley & Bartels, 2022). 

Fact #1: 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are estimated to experience child sexual abuse.  

Girls are disproportionately impacted, but boys also face significant risk (Daley & Gutovitz, 2025). Boys are often underreported due to stigma and reluctance to disclose, meaning their true prevalence may be higher (Collin-Vézina et al., 2013). Types of abuse also vary, with girls more likely to experience a wider range including penetrative acts, and boys more likely to have non-contact abuse underreported (Martin & Silverstone, 2013). Youth who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are nearly four times more likely to report experiencing child sexual abuse compared to their heterosexual peers. Also, nearly one in four transgender youth experience abuse before reaching the age of 18 (Darkness to Light, 2025). 

Fact #2: Child sexual abuse (CSA) includes a wide range of behaviors beyond just sexual penetration. 

Other forms of CSA include: 

• Touching a child’s genitals for sexual pleasure or another unnecessary reason 

• Forcing a child to touch someone else’s genitals 

• Putting objects or body parts in the mouth, inside the vagina, or in the anus of a child for sexual pleasure or other unnecessary reasons  

• Encouraging a child to engage in sexual acts 

• Exposing a child to sexual acts or pornography 

• Showing one’s genitals to a child 

• Taking sexual or exploitative photos or videos of a child 

• Forcing or pressuring a child to undress 

• Using sexual language toward a child in an explicit or exploitative way 

• Exploiting a child through online grooming or sexual solicitation 

• Sex trafficking or exchanging sexual acts with a child for money, goods, or favors 

(Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect, 2024) 

Fact #3: Child abuse trauma can shatter a child’s sense of safety and trust, damaging relationships and overall well-being.  

If not addressed, the trauma may lead to serious mental health struggles, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression, and even long-term physical health issues, including heart disease, obesity, and chronic illness in adulthood. Children may also turn to risky or harmful behaviors, such as substance use, self-harm, or aggression, as ways to cope with the pain they are carrying (Darkness to Light, 2025).  

Addressing abuse and trauma can take many forms. There are evidence-based ways to support a child healing from abuse. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most effective approaches; it helps children process traumatic memories, regulate their emotions, and rebuild trust (Leenarts et al., 2012). In addition, caregivers and professionals can build safety and healing by offering consistent emotional support, creating stable routines, validating the child’s feelings, and connecting them with trauma-informed medical or mental health care. Over time, these supports can help counteract the long-term mental and physical health effects of abuse.  

Fact #4: Kids with intellectual or developmental disabilities face abuse at much higher rates. 

Studies show that children with intellectual or developmental disabilities are 3 to 8 times more likely to be abused compared to children without disabilities. Some children struggle to clearly express what they are going through, which can make it difficult for them to let others know about abuse or ask for help. Many also depend on caregivers for basic daily needs, which can put them at greater risk if those caregivers misuse their position of trust. On top of that, stigma, social isolation, and limited access to resources create conditions where abuse may remain hidden or overlooked. For children with disabilities, the effects of abuse can be even more damaging, adding extra layers of hardship to challenges they might already face regarding learning, growth, or building healthy relationships (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2018). 

Child abuse is a complex issue, but it becomes even harder to confront when myths overshadow the truth. By challenging these misconceptions and grounding our understanding in accurate information, we not only protect children more effectively but also create space for survivors to be believed and supported. Raising awareness, staying informed, and recognizing the realities of abuse are key steps every community member can take. When we understand what abuse truly looks like and acknowledge that it can happen anywhere and to any child, we become better equipped to intervene early, advocate for safer environments, and promote healing. The more we replace myths with facts, the closer we move toward a world where every child is safe, heard, and protected.