MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -
According to researchers at The Children's Assessment Center, five hundred thousand babies born this year will be sexually abused before they turn eighteen, and some of those cases will come from Horry County.
"We do see quite a few cases of children that come in that have been assaulted," said Jacquie Campman, counselor at the Rape Crisis Center.
She said working child sexual abuse cases isn't easy.
"It's hard to think that someone would take advantage of someone so innocent, someone so trusting," Campman added.
But it happens daily, and many times parents don't know.
Campman said there are signs to look out for, and ways to tell if your child has experienced sexual abuse.
"They will regress back to wetting the bed. If they were comfortable leaving parents, they are no longer comfortable," Campman explained.
She said this type of assault won't only affect children at home.
"Isolating from friends, not hanging out with friends, changes in grades, all of a sudden they're skipping school, things like that are signs and symptoms, as well as introduction to substance abuse," Campman said.
She encouraged parents that if they notice these signs, do not be afraid to ask.
"If you have that line of communication open so your child feels comfortable coming to you with anything, let them know that no matter what, you stand behind them, you believe them, and you will do what you can to help them through it," said Campman.
She said it's best to be understanding, and important to ask for help.
"We are very proud of parents who bring their children at young ages to us for help because that means they're not afraid to talk about it," Campman added.
"If they can deal with it as a child they have a much better chance of gaining a self image and putting this as a part of their past and moving through it and healing," she said.
For more information on signs of child sexual abuse or what to do if you are a victim, go to http://www.victimtosurvivor.org/.
