Link – Child sexual abuse: How big is the ‘iceberg’?

“We’ve known for a long time that only a relatively small number of abuse cases come to the attention of the authorities, but this report by the Children’s Commissioner for England is a comprehensive attempt to measure and understand abuse that is hidden from view.

Its conclusion that only one child in every eight facing sexual abuse comes to the attention of the authorities is a staggering figure, but it does not surprise many working in the field.

Experts will often describe the abuse that is reported as the tip of the iceberg. This research attempts to measure the whole iceberg. “

It can be overwhelming to think about the number of people who were, abused during childhood. I prefer, instead to think about the number of people who have had this terrible experience, and been able to overcome it. That number should be our inspiration and our hope as survivors, while also motivating us to do better to prevent more children from having to experience it in the first place!

Child sexual abuse: How big is the ‘iceberg’?