Consider these criteria of victims of childhood sexual abuse:
- A child victim of sexual abuse is any boy or girl under the age of eighteen who has suffered a single experience or many experiences of sexual abuse.
- A child in legal terms is referred to as a “minor.”
- A child (minor) is defined as a person under the age of eighteen.
- A child victim of sexual abuse is overwhelmed with a sense of powerlessness.
- A child has no choice about being abused.
- A child does not have the ability to stop the abuse.
- A child is defenseless against the emotional pain.
- A child feels helpless and totally alone.
The Bible is not silent about God’s concern for victims: “You, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.… You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (Psalm 10:14, 17)
Hunt, J. (2008). Biblical Counseling Keys on Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Secret Storm. Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart.