CAC sees increase of child sex abuse

MOBILE, Ala. - Sadly, The Child Advocacy Center said lately it's seen a spike in child sex abuse cases in Mobile County.

The CAC has really been working hard. They said they're investigating more reports, because more reports are being called in. They take the crimes and offenders very seriously.

The Child Advocacy Center is a safe haven for victims and provides services like interventions, education, and healing. Director Pat Guyton said the organization has been extremely busy lately.

Guyton attributes part of the increase to the recession.

"All forms of child abuse have risen dramatically. Emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse have all gone up since the economic downturn," Guyton said.

Guyton said child sex abuse is a growing problem that can only be solved when someone comes forward. To help save a victim, there are things you should be on the lookout for.

"A sudden change in a child's personality, an outgoing child that suddenly becomes depressed or nervous," added Guyton. "A child that suddenly becomes sexually acting out. A five or six-year-old girl begins to mimic sexual activity. Sexual language inappropriate for a child's age. Physical indicators are child walking strangely or the child having nightmares. Those would be indicators of child sexual abuse. Not wanting to be around someone they always wanted to be around."

Guyton said his organization is dedicated to intervening in child abuse and getting justice.

"Putting people in prison who molest children is the best way to deal with sex offenders. They're out of the community as long as you can keep them out of the community and they're not molesting children," he said.

Although the numbers are rising, officials said it's not nearly as high as it would be if all cases were reported.

If you know of a child who is being sexually abused, contact the Child Advocacy Center.