Secret's out -- Sexual abuse may take minutes, but the betrayal lasts a lifetime, says Stone (cont.)
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Yet, Stone says incidents of abuse are more likely to be reported by black families because of disproportionately low incomes that put them in contact with public agencies and authorities more than others. However, when a black woman seeks help it may end with the barriers Stone met. "I couldn't find anything that spoke to me specifically - to me as a black woman in the context of my history and culture." Others may be put off because African-American families, especially with a legacy of slavery, tend to "close ranks," mistrusting police or social workers, says Stone.
She concludes that talking about and reporting sexual abuse is always the appropriate response. "If it happens within the family, people tend to think it's not a crime. It's a violation, yes, but it's also a crime. It's best to let the criminal justice system deal with whether it's is a crime. This may be (the abuser's) fifth victim."
Children who do not report abuse or do not go through therapy account for
some of the statistics Stone found most discomforting in her research: Among
abusers: 57 percent of those jailed report being victims of sexual abuse
as children; 66 percent of pregnant teens report a history of sexual abuse;
66 percent of prostitutes say they were sexually abused by fathers, stepfathers
or foster fathers. Sexual abuse before age 18 increases a woman's risk of
becoming HIV-positive more than any other factor in her life.
Copyright 2004 The Commercial Appeal, Inc.
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Reporting Abuse
To report child sexual abuse or suspected abuse, the Memphis Child Advocacy Center recommends calling a single toll-free hotline number.
In Tennessee, the call goes to the Tennessee Department of Children's Services at 1-877-237-0044.
In Arkansas, call 1-800-482-5964.
In Mississippi, call 1-800-222-8000 (calls to this number can be dialed only within the state of Mississippi).
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