“Understanding It Wasn't Your Fault Child abuse is defined as the “physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of children” (http://www.definitions. net/ definition/child abuse) while sexual abuse is defined as "a legal offense that makes it a crime to knowingly induce another person to perform an unwanted sexual act by force or threat" (http:/ /www.definitions.net /definizione/aiuto%20sexual). Sexual abuse occurs across all racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and religious groups and is almost as old as human history itself. It is neither new nor rare. It's a long-standing problem that is epidemic. Its impact can be devastating. There are numerous commonly held misconceptions regarding child sexual abuse such as; sexual abuse is limited to sexual intercourse between an adult and a child; the perpetrator of sexual abuse is always a stranger; and rape happens with adult women, not children. Of course, these assumptions are wrong. Sexual abuse does not always involve physical contact. Exposing a child to sexual situations or materials is sexually offensive, whether touching is involved or not. I had to read the article a few times, to make sure I got the gist of what I was reading. I can't say I fully understood it. What is even scarier to me is that sexual abuse usually occurs at the hands of someone the child knows and should be able to trust, most often close relatives. I cannot understand how an adult/guardian could look into the beautiful eyes of an unsuspecting innocent child and commit sexual atrocities against that child, a child who is solely dependent on you as their protector. As I write this, I watch my younger siblings screaming at the top of their lungs… into the middle of a sheet of paper… aling. I wish that person suffered as much as I suffered, but I am not God. I cannot dictate what other people's lives should be, I can only dictate my own. When I'm done with this program I will pursue nursing. There is a deep desire in me to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged people. The article mentions that the first way to reassure the abused person is to let them know that it is not their fault. In my opinion, of the many atrocities committed against the world's innocent youth, the sexual abuse of children is perhaps the most unforgivable. Works Cited(http://www.definitions.net/definition/child%20abuse)(http:/ /www.definitions.net/definition/sthetic%20abuse)(Bass, E. & Davis, L. (1988). Understand that it wasn't your fault. The Courage to Heal: A guide for women survivors of sexual abuse (pg. 106