Myths and truths

Myth: Children are usually abused by strangers

Truth: Most children are abused by someone they know and trust

Myth: Women do not sexually abuse children

Fact: Although the majority of sexual abusers are male, in around 5-10% of cases, the sexual abuser is female

Myth: It doesn’t happen here – this is often said in the context of family, class, ethnic group or community

Fact: Abuse happens in all classes, ethnic group, cultures and communities

Myth: Children are prone to lying about abuse

Fact: Children very rarely lie about abuse, and their greatest fear is that they won’t be believed (abusers will often tell children that no-one will believe them if they tell)

Myth: When parents have abused a child the children are usually taken into care

Truth: Child protection professionals know that whenever possible the best place for a child to grow up is with their parent(s), so they always try to protect a child within the home whenever possible

Myth: Child abusers come from deprived backgrounds, are below average intelligence, or are recognisable as dangerous