When home is no longer safe: how to detect, prevent and act in the face of child sexual abuse

There are cases that deeply affect society because they shatter one of its most fundamental beliefs: that family is always a safe haven. This week we have had the unpleasant experience of having to read several real cases of child sexual abuse in family settings that have come to light. When parents abuse their daughter and force her into prostitution while she is a minor, they not only violate the law, but also the very emotional foundations upon which childhood is built .

Talking about child sexual abuse , domestic violence , and child exploitation isn’t comfortable, but it’s necessary. Because these cases don’t appear out of nowhere. They develop in silence, are sustained by power dynamics, and are often perpetuated because no one looks where it hurts to look.

This article aims to raise awareness , explain how these situations arise , how they psychologically affect children , and, above all, what we can do as a society to detect and prevent them .

Child abuse does not always leave visible signs

One of the most dangerous misconceptions surrounding child abuse is the idea that it’s always obvious. The reality is very different. Many cases of sexual abuse occur in seemingly normal contexts, without explicit physical violence, and with everyday interactions that mask the harm.

In consultations and social interventions, it is frequently observed that abuse persists because the aggressor:

• He holds a position of power.
• Control the child’s emotional environment.
• It generates fear, guilt, or dependence.

When this happens within the home, the psychological impact is even greater. The child not only suffers abuse, but also the betrayal of the bond that should protect them.

A reality more common than we think

The data confirms that child sexual abuse is a structural problem, not an exceptional one.

Recent studies indicate that:

• Between 2.8% and 18.5% of the population has suffered sexual abuse in childhood (Pereda et al., 2024).
• The sexual exploitation of children and adolescents has increased due to the use of social networks and digital platforms (Gámez-Guadix et al., 2025).
• Most cases are not reported at the time they occur.

These figures speak not only of victims, but also of prolonged social silences .

Dominance, control and objectification: how abuse is constructed

Child sexual abuse cannot be understood solely as an impulsive act. In most cases, it stems from psychological processes of dominance and control , where the child ceases to be perceived as a person and becomes an object.

This depersonalization phenomenon makes it easier for the aggressor to justify their actions, reduces empathy, and leads to repeating the behavior. When there is also financial gain or a sense of impunity, the behavior is reinforced and becomes chronic.

These patterns are related to traits described in profiles such as those analyzed in Almost Psychopaths or in Types of Psychopaths: Main Profiles , where emotional manipulation and instrumentalization of the other are central, although there is not always a clinical diagnosis of psychopathy.

Hypersexualization, social media and false “maturity”

We live in a society that pushes children and teenagers to look like adults before their time . Hypersexualization in social media , video games, music, and advertising creates a dangerous illusion: confusing appearance with maturity.

Many minors:

• They repeat behaviors without understanding their meaning.
• They normalize sexualized dynamics.
• They do not distinguish between play, manipulation, and abuse.

This is especially serious in digital environments, where some adults take advantage of this confusion to exert control, manipulation, or exploitation, as discussed in Psychopathy on the Internet: How to Deal with It .

It is essential to emphasize a key idea: a minor is never responsible for abuse , regardless of their behavior or appearance.

The LOPIVI: protecting the child above all else

In Spain, Organic Law 8/2021 (LOPIVI) represented a decisive step forward in the protection of children. It recognizes that violence against minors can occur in any environment, including the family, and establishes clear mechanisms for prevention and intervention.

Among its principles, the following stand out:

• The best interests of the child as the central focus.
• The obligation to detect and report any suspicion.
• Firm measures when the family becomes the focus of harm, including the withdrawal of parental rights.

Protecting is not about separating as punishment, but about guaranteeing a safe environment for the child’s emotional development .

Warning signs that should not be ignored

Some common indicators of abuse or risk are:

• Sudden changes in behavior.
• Sexualization not appropriate for the age.
• Isolation, fear, or intense anxiety.
• Recurrent physical symptoms without a clear medical cause.

Early detection depends on attentive adults: families, teachers, healthcare professionals, coaches, and the general public.

Prevention: a collective responsibility

Education and school

Prevention begins in the classroom. Well-designed educational programs help identify patterns of abuse and equip children with self-protection tools, as explained in 4 educational strategies to prevent bullying .

Psychoeducational workshops and talks

Training is key. Workshops on gender violence and psychoeducational talks allow for addressing boundaries, consent, and early detection. In this area, Iván Pico gives talks on violence prevention in educational and sports settings.

Sport as a protective environment

Sport can be a powerful preventative tool if it is approached from the perspective of emotional education and values, as outlined in 10 strategies for preventing violence in sport .

Emotional intelligence

Promoting emotional intelligence from childhood reduces the risk of violence and improves the ability to detect and protect.

🚨 If you suspect abuse, take action 🚨

Listening, believing, supporting, and communicating can make all the difference. Many protection processes begin with a single person who decides not to look the other way .

Protecting children is protecting the future

Violence against children is not a private matter. It is a social phenomenon that demands awareness, education, and collective responsibility . The law is a tool, but real prevention stems from a society that listens, observes, and acts.

Because every child protected today is an adult who will not have to survive tomorrow what no one wanted to see.

Bibliographic references

• Pereda, N., et al. (2024). Prevalence of child sexual abuse in Spain . Journal of Child Maltreatment.
• Gámez-Guadix, M., et al. (2025). Sexual exploitation in Spanish adolescents . International Journal of Adolescent Health.
• Ministry of Youth and Childhood. (2025). Violence against children and adolescents in Spain .
• Childhood Observatory. (2025). A snapshot of child abuse in Spain .