This type of abuse, for a child, can mean anything from touching and fondling, to rape. Surprisingly, in recent months, there have been a few cases in which infants were raped. This form of abuse is not as rare as some would like to believe. It happens all too often in our society. The sad thing is that, from my understanding, the abuser is normally someone the child already knows.

The perpetrator will slowly and gradually move in on their victim. They watch and observe the victim and their family, before making their move. I believe that it is not uncommon for them to make every effort into winning over the parents of the child they fully intend to assault. Many adults, with prior convictions of this type of abuse, were given somewhat light sentences and were known to prey on children once they finished their sentencing and were released from prison.

Sadly, many victims also fall prey to incest. Incest occurs when a member of the family inappropriately touches or molests the child. It can be the child’s parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister etc. Do not, for a second, think that this does not happen in our country. It occurs more than we choose to admit. This type of abuse has no boundaries, even gender based. While I believe that the majority of these offenders are male, there are some that are female.

Molestation strips the child victim of any form of innocence. Normally, a child that is approaching puberty will grasp the truth that there are parts of their body that are personal and private to them. Children are taught, through many forms of media, that they are in control of who is allowed to touch them in those very private areas. They are taught that they have the right to say no to anyone wanting to touch them in appropriately. Can you imagine what molestation must do to the child that is approaching puberty, or are already in the throes of it?


Often, the child is told not to tell anyone what happened, for whatever reason the perpetrator gives to the child. Perhaps they are told that no one will believe them. Maybe they are told it is their fault. Or, perhaps, they might hear that it is normal in other families. Whatever the case, they are torn between knowing it just doesn’t feel right and not wanting to tell for fear of further abuse. How cruel it is to put a child in such a predicament.