According to RAINN, a nonprofit designed to help victims of sexual assault, 1 in 9 girls under 18 and 1 in 53 boys under 18 will be sexually assaulted before their 17th birthday. Every 9 minutes, Child Protective Services either find evidence or receive a report of child sexual assault.

Survivors of sexual assault (of any age!) are significantly more likely to self-harm, develop substance abuse problems, eating disorders, and sleep disorders. Victims of sexual assault are twice as likely to commit suicide.  

If a victim is genetically predisposed to have a mental illness (such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia) that mental illness is more likely to show up earlier in life. More often than not, survivors develop PTSD and often seek professional help.

It's not just mental illness - victims are...

When you know a survivor, the best thing you can do is know what their PTSD (and other mental illness) triggers are. Just listening and being mindful of the situations and surroundings you're putting them in can greatly increase their mental wellbeing.

Another way to help would be to simply...

Another key thing to do is when you see something, say something. 

You can report this to Child Protective Services, which will take action. The CyperTipline (1.800. 843.5678) is another great way to report exploited children.

Both RAINN and Darkness to Light offer volunteering opportunities to work to end CSA. 

Other great organizations to volunteer with include: The Trevor Project, The National Suicide Hotline, and The Crisis Textline.

You can make a difference! Get out there and fight for our kids.