Professionals
Did you know?
In Québec,
approximately 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys
are victims of sexual abuse
before the age of 18!
The incidence rate represents new cases of persons afflicted by the problematic at a given time in a given population.
According to information recorded on file by police services, it is reported:
| How many sexual offences have been reported by the police? | Annually |
| Canada | 0,73 person out of 1000 |
| Québec |
0,79 person out of 1000 inhabitants |
These numbers represent but a fraction of the cases for it is estimated that only 10% to 20% of sexual abuses are reported to the official authorities.
The prevalence rate represents the number of people affected by the problematic, in a given time and in a given population.
In retrospect, studies done amongst adults show:
| Were you a victim of sexual abuse before the age of 18? |
Women | Men |
| Canada (Badgley & al., 1984) |
25% | 15% |
| Québec (Hébert & al., 2008) |
21,1% | 9,7% |
| International (Méta-analyse; Pereda & al., 2009) |
19,7% | 7,9% |
Police records in Québec show:
- 68% of sexual abuse victims are aged 18 years and younger;
- Girls account for 53% and boys account for 15% amongst victims;
- 51% of child victims are aged 14 years and younger.
Did you know?
In most cases, actually close to 84%, the sexual offender is known by the child.
Most child sexual abuse cases occur in private homes.
All adult or teenager subjecting a child to gestures of a sexual nature is guilty of a criminal offence.
Examples of acts or behaviours that could be considered sexual abuse.
BREAKING THE SILENCE TO PROTECT CHILDHOOD!
Did you know?
In Québec, all professionals who have reason to believe a child is being sexually abused must report the situation immediately to the Director of Youth Protection (DYP).
The obligation to file a report even applies to people bound by professional secrecy.
A report must be filed with the DYP even if certain steps have been previously been taken by the parents to protect the child's safety. It is the DYP's responsibility to determine if the situation warrants further action.
