IntroductionChild sexual assault by adults is an epidemic that has reached significant proportions. According to Raymond Webster PhD, child sexual abuse "is generally defined as involving experiences of physical or non-physical contact between a child and an adult during which the child is subjected to sexual exploitation, humiliation or degradation ( Webster, 2004). “The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable, a violation of humanity's most fundamental duty to protect the innocent,” James T. Walsh (2011). » As parents and guardians, our most valuable role is to always remain proactive in protecting the virtue and purity of our children. This type of harm, inflicted on a young child, can have a lasting negative impact on the victim, often into adulthood. When parents are informed of the abuse, they should be very sensitive, caring, loving and empathetic towards the child; this will help minimize self-doubt and devastating psychological effects on the child. “Interviews were conducted with child victims of abuse, their victims and their parents, and revealed that 48% of children first reported the abuse to their mother. Only 3% of this sample indicated that this disclosure to their mother had been a negative experience. These results suggest that the mother's involvement in the overall therapeutic process is very important, provided that she is the non-violent parent (Webster, 2011). » Interestingly, in most cases, victims of sexual abuse knew the perpetrator in some cases. path; this will increase their vulnerability and increase the risk of future sexual re-victimization. Additionally, it increases the risk that the abused person will become the abuser when middle of paper ......ung adult males. Child Abuse & Neglect, 18(8), 683-697.http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/jamestwal351349.htmlRetrieved December 7, 2011American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (Rev. 4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author. xxxxhttp://www.georgia.gov/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/23/30/1565850292010%20Georgia%20F%20and%20Sexual%20Assault%20Statistics%20Report.pdfRetrieved December 11, 2011http://www.pewcenteronthestates. org/uploadedFiles/Pew_State_of_Recidivism.pdfRetrieved December 11, 2011http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=1136Retrieved December 11, 2011Dr. Lainey Richardson Lecture Notes PowerPoint PresentationRetrieved December 10, 2011http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ncvc/resources_prof/OVC_guidelines04-26-04.pdfRetrieved December 11, 2011