Facts about abuse

It is important to remember that abusers do not always use physical force. Many use games, gifts, lies or threats to engage children and to keep them from telling anyone what has happened.

• Abusers often try to earn the trust of potential victims and their families. This enables them to more easily gain time alone with the children. Abusers are drawn to settings where they can easily gain access to children: schools, sports leagues, clubs, etc.

• According to the National Council of Youth Sports programs where adults supervise children represents an obvious opportunity for sexual predators, and youth sports programs are known targets for perpetrators of these crimes.