Bookmarks Promote Ways to Detect and Report Child Sexual Abuse
Counselor Education Students Create a bookmark that lists signs of child sexual abuse and contacts to report suspected abuse.
by Suzanne Wayne (November 2011)
Counselor education graduate students Pia Smal, Billie Miller, and Jonathan Stube in the College of Education and their professor Spencer Niles, distinguished professor of counselor education, have created bookmarks that list possible signs that a child might be a victim of sexual abuse and include information on where to report suspected abuse. The bookmarks were distributed at the Penn State football game on Saturday, November 12, as part of the blue-out to support abuse victims.
The bookmarks contain the following information:
Did You Know?
- It is estimated that 1/20 cases of sexual abuse is identified by or reported to authorities.
- 1/4 girls and 1/7 boys have been a victim of sexual abuse.
- Has difficulty walking or sitting;
- Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities;
- Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior;
- Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age fourteen;
- Runs away; or
- Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver.
