Sexual Abuse Forever Ending (SAFE)

About Sexual Abuse Forever Ending (SAFE)

Statistics show that one in five children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. More than 90 percent of children are abused by someone they know and trust. Due to shame, fear, guilt and the stigma associated with child sexual abuse (CSA), many victims never disclose. This is an epidemic defined by secrecy and silence. Almost 73 percent of child victims do not disclose to anyone for at least a year; 45 percent do not tell anyone for almost five years;and many never disclose at all. CSA takes a tremendous toll on the lives of victims and our society as a whole. Survivors may suffer from both psychological and physical long-term effects including higher risks of depression, PTSD, anxiety, sleep and eating disorders, sexual risk factors including teen pregnancy and re-victimization, as well as neurological damage, disease and injury. Sexual abuse victims are three times more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and two times more likely to drop out of school. The CDC recently estimated the lifetime burden of a new substantiated case of nonfatal child maltreatment to be $210,012 per victim. This includes immediate costs, as well as loss of productivity and increased healthcare costs in adulthood. CSA is a social cycle often perpetuated in family systems, communities and institutions generation after generation. Secrets and silence abound. However, open, active conversation about the dynamics of CSA paired with education and the empowerment of adults and children can stop this cycle of abuse. Sexual Abuse Forever Ending (SAFE) is a recently founded 501c3 with a mission to educate and empower children and adults to reduce stigma and end CSA. Through education and empowerment of individuals within our communities, SAFE will work to ensure that every child grows up healthy and free from CSA.

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