A 12-year-old may not know that they can say no to an adult, or may not understand that they are being used. I've worked with older teens who were exploited by perverts on the internet and didn't understand that those guys were perverts and child abusers - the teenager doesn't think of herself as a child but still is and is vulnerable. There are so many reasons why kids don't tell. They are often threatened and intimidated and maybe there is nobody they think will believe them or take them seriously or understand or do the right thing without making things worse. They don't want to lose someone they love, and they probably will if they tell.

People tell themselves what is easiest to believe. There have only been a few windows in time during which society has recognized child abuse and taken a stand against it. Society tends to take sides with the perpetrators more often than not and to try to cover it up. We are fortunate to be in one of those windows when society is outraged by abuse and we know it is real and we won't tolerate it. Not everybody, of course, but we need to work to continue making progress in ending abuse while we have the chance.

It is easier to simply not see things that are outrageous or unbelievable than it is to look straight at it and call it what it is. Unfortunately, a lot of people choose not to see.