Child Sexual Abuse
Despite these inconsistencies, a staggering number of children fall victim to sexual abuse every year. As of December 31, 2009, a total of 8,334 children were reported as having been sexually abused in Illinois alone. 2,319 of these cases were indicated or proven by investigators. The fact that the remaining 6,015 cases were not indicated does not mean that abuse did not occur. Rather, D.C.F.S investigators were unable to find credible evidence that abuse happened and were required to classify the case as “unfounded.” Illinois’ unfounded case rate is higher than the national average of 40 to 60%. Remember, also, that these numbers are not an accurate representation of the actual incidence of child sexual abuse in Illinois. In all likelihood the number of victims is much higher.
