A major obstacle to preventing the sexual abuse of children is getting people to realize that it is a common problem.
A local survey released this month shows that Rochester-area residents believe child sexual abuse is "more of a national problem than a significant issue in Rochester" and more of a problem in low-income communities.
That's not true, said Mary Whittier, Bivona Child Advocacy Center executive director, who is preparing for her group's sixth annual Summit on Child Abuse next month.
"Child sexual abuse does not discriminate by income, education level or neighborhood," Whittier said in a release from the Ad Council of Rochester. "Every year, we work with children from all parts of the greater Rochester community: from all races and ethnicities and from all types of home settings. In 2013, we served 1,600 children. Since it is estimated that only 1 in 10 children ever disclose, the actual number of children abused in our community may be as high as 16,000."
Survey Shows Need for Education on Child Abuse Issues (Rochester, NY)
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