The connection between child sexual abuse and youth homelessness

The biggest misconception, writes Kori Nelson, is that child sexual abuse doesn’t happen here in Hubbard County or rural Minnesota.

Opinion by Kori Nelson Founder and executive director, Youth Emergency Shelter & Supports and Staff reports

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Awareness Month. After working for years in sexual violence, I feel a connection to this topic, and it still holds a special place in my heart.

There have been several big media stories lately of children missing, and once they were found there was evidence of child sexual abuse.

The biggest misconception is that it doesn’t happen here in Hubbard County or rural Minnesota. Yes, it happens here in our backyards.

Children, if not identified, can hold the secrets for many years to come, and sometimes even take the secrets with them until they pass away. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, CSA is a public health epidemic here in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 91% of CSA victims knew their perpetrator.

Long-term effects of CSA can include damaged family ties, and mental and emotional behaviors, along with a reduction in quality of life. This is not all-inclusive and not all victims of CSA will experience this; however, significant research has concluded the above effects of CSA are high among those who reported the abuse.

Now how does this tie into youth homelessness, you may be asking? According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, homeless youth are five times more likely to report CSA compared to youth living in stable homes.

Youth who experience CSA may not have the necessary skills to find a supportive and caring community, which can lead to further vulnerabilities.

Youth who experience CSA have a higher rate of potential chemical use and substance disorders, along with mental health disorders. If they are unable to get the help they need, it affects their ability to maintain housing, especially if they are already in an unstable household. There is an ongoing risk of sexual exploitation as children grow up and become teens. They will participate in sexual activity in trade to meet one of their basic needs, which includes food, clothing and shelter.

Did you know, in 2019, according to the student survey, students in northwestern Minnesota (including Hubbard County) had the highest rates of students answering “yes” to trading sexual activity to meet one of their basic needs? Is this alarming to you? In 2022, this question was not asked of Hubbard County students. Sadly, we know this continues in our communities.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children believes every child deserves to have a safe childhood. Check out https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/csam to learn more information.

Support Within Reach is Hubbard County’s sexual violence advocacy resource program. You can find their website at www.supportwithinreach.org .

If you are currently experiencing or know someone experiencing CSA, contact your local law enforcement, along with Hubbard County Human Services.

Children and families have access to forensic interviews, if applicable, at the Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota, located in Bemidji. You can find their website at www.facnm.net .

There is so much work to be done to combat and present CSA, and it does start with you ensuring we are talking with our children about safe/unsafe touch.

We also need to ensure we surround ourselves and our children with safe adults who are trusted. Talk to our children about trusting those around them, so if something does happen, they know you are open to the conversation.

We can do our best to protect our children; however, the world is not as brilliant and good as it is made out to be. So be the change you wish to see and help our children and youth thrive and survive. Check out our website at www.yesshubbard.org