Experts say the best way to prevent your child from becoming a victim of sexual abuse is to keep the lines of communication open.

        “Too many parents are not communicating with their kids on a regular basis,” said Peter O. Samples, chairman of the Kentucky Multi-County Task Forces on Child Abuse Inc. “They don't know what's going on with them, so they don't see the signs of abuse.”

        Mr. Samples said parents should talk to their children daily, starting at an early age.

        “When that child walks in from school, when that child goes to bed, you should be asking what was the best/worst thing about your day?” he said. “You should ask, "Is there anything you would like to change?' I can guarantee if you do this from the start, you're not going to have a problem.”

        Mr. Samples said national statistics show that a pedophile may sexually molest as many as 90 times — either the same child or 90 victims — before the offender is caught. The average number of victims of a child pedophile is seven, and the average age span of a pedophile's victims is two years.

        Pedophiles often gain the trust of their victims by giving them gifts, or taking them places, Mr. Samples said.

        Another tip-off that there may be a problem would be an adult who spends a lot of time with a child and isolates that child from others, said Kathy Miller-Cox, the sexual abuse treatment director for the Family Nurturing Center serving eight Northern Kentucky counties.

        “Most adults want to spend time with adults, and children want to spend time with other children,” Ms. Miller-Cox said.

        Other signs of possible sexual abuse:

        • A sudden change in behavior, especially acting out things of a sexual nature.

        “We know that young children, especially those of preschool age, will often act out and expose themselves in school (if they've been sexually abused),” Mr. Samples said.

        • Physical signs, such as infections, rashes or irritations around the child's genital area.

        • Children try to engage other children in sexual activities.

        If a child does disclose that he or she has been the victim of sexual abuse, the adult they confide in should treat the allegations as if they are true, because they usually are, Ms. Miller-Cox said.

        The good news is that with prompt intervention and counseling, young sexual abuse victims shouldn't be scarred for life.

        “It's not something they probably ever will forget,” Mr. Samples said. “But they certainly will learn how to deal with it and it won't become an issue in their own sexuality.”

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