How to protect your son from sexual abuse

EBONY.COM - Far more important than the salaciousness of the Long and Sandusky cases is the reality that boys, too, are the victims of sexual abuse far too often. By age 18, nearly one of three boys experiences some form of unwanted sexual interaction.

TheGrio Staff

Jul 3, 2012

From Ebony.com: Richard Pryor. Tyler Perry. Todd Bridges. Donnie McClurkin. The link that ties them together is not talent and celebrity but, rather, the sexual abuse and trauma inflicted on them while children. All four have publicly revealed that men sexually abused them. Last year we were startled by allegations against Bishop Eddie Long of sexual abuse of male minors and then we were abhorred by the acts of sexual abuse comitted by Penn State University’s former coach Jerry Sandusky.

But has that horror motivated us to act?

Far more important than the salaciousness of the Long and Sandusky cases is the reality that boys, too, are the victims of sexual abuse far too often. By age 18, nearly one of three boys experiences some form of unwanted sexual interaction. Yet, our society tends to be more vigilant in its attempts to protect our girls than we are when it comes to our boys. Sexual abuse manifests some of the same life symptoms in males as it does in females – depression, criminal justice system involvement, failed relationships, at-risk sexual behavior, substance abuse, and increased likelihood that they will victimize others. Emotionally, it may lead to distrust of males and male authority figures and self-loathing.

So, what can we do to protect our sons?

Read the rest of this story on Ebony.com.