Prevalence

How common is it

"Prevalence" refers to the proportion of any defined population who have been sexually abused in childhood. Until the late 1970s, many researchers and professionals thought child sexual abuse was extremely rare. Since then, growing awareness and the survivors’ own courage in campaigning for services has made it clear that CSA is common throughout society, and that it affects both females and males.

However, studies offer us a bewildering range of statistics. Two recent World Health Organisation reports have estimated figures at 20% for females and 5% for males. For any form of CSA, Cawson’s UK study (2000) found 21% for females and 11% for males, while McGhee’s Irish study (2003) found 30% for females, 24% for males. American studies range from 6% to 38% prevalence for females.

There are several reasons for these variations, including:

• "Childhood sexual abuse" itself has been defined in several ways, and the age limits set have varied.
• Different survey methods produce different responses in survivors.
• Females have been studied far more than males.
• Only a small percentage of sexual crime against children is ever detected, recorded or prosecuted.
• Most perpetrators do not admit their actions, and many survivors do not wish to disclose their experiences.

Therefore we’ll never know the exact extent of CSA – and our knowledge remains likely to be an under-estimate.

For more information see the Research section of this website