When Children Sexually Abuse Other Children

It has gained popularity within our society to understand that healing is not linear. There are gallant strides forward and reality shattering experiences backwards. Sometimes you sprint ahead, other times you crawl. Some weeks are broken into days. Many days are broken into hours. Some hours we take minute by minute.

We can all further this analogy in one way or another….

I understand with an unrelenting knowing, that child on child sexual abuse (COCSA) is an under-studied, miss-understood, and miss-represented trauma that affects the lives of far too many. The details and psychology behind individual COCSA cases are hardly considered or understood when disclosed.

Many victims of COCSA are left alone in turmoil over such abuse. It should be stated that in many cases, the offending child has also experienced abuse in their lives.

There is a vast hole in the process of bringing a violation of a child by another child to the proper authorities. COCSA cases are tossed around like hot potatoes between Child Protective Services (DCYF), and Law Enforcement. Most surprisingly, many COCSA cases don’t fall within either scope of DCYF and LE. They hand the cases off to each other knowing a dead end is imminent.

Families are left without answers or guidance. They are left to the mercy of authorities who lack training in how to handle such violations and the emotional aftermath of COCSA.

We understand that the law is up for interpretation by those that are in control of it.

COCSA survivors are falling through the cracks at the hands of our system every day.

Families that do advocate for their child are often blindsided by dismissive authorities.

Victims are left to the mercy, knowledge, and strength of their families that may or may not acknowledge and/or understand the abuse that is COCSA.

Many times, a familial cycle is already taking place.

But most likely, the abused child never comes forward…

Not until decades later…

And when they do, they are faced with the harsh reality of the true nature of our system.

Respectfully,

COCSA Awareness