Lost Innocence — Rose LaFrance

Child molester statistics: According to the U.S. Department of Justice there were approximately 234,000 sex offenders who were convicted of rape or sexual assault. The median age of the victims is under 13 years of age. More than three-fourths of crimes against children occurred in the offender's home or the victim's place of residence. Most children are abused by someone they know and trust. Although boys are more likely than girls to be abused outside of the family, 96 percent of reported child abuse cases under age 12 knew the attacker. We as a society must protect our children and stop hiding this dirty secret that happens in families.