It is estimated that less than one in 12 children will tell.
Children often keep silent for a number of reasons. Children often go through a wide variety of emotions such as shame, anger, sadness, guilt or fear. They may feel threatened into silence or fear that no one will believe them. Sometimes they do try to tell, only to be hushed by family members.
Often though, the child simply does not fully understand what is happening. Children — especially young children — are used to doing what they are told. People who sexually abuse children take advantage of this.