Abused and Neglected Children Are More Likely to Drop Out of School and Have Learning Issues
TAKEN FROM THE SITE, DARKNESS TO LIGHT:
FACT: Academic problems in childhood are a common symptom of sexual abuse. • Sexually abused children tended to perform lower on psychometric tests measuring cognitive ability, academic achievement, and memory assessments when compared to same-age non-sexually abused cohorts. • Studies indicate that sexual abuse exposure among children and adolescents is associated with high school absentee rates, more grade retention, increased need for special education services and difficulty with school adaptation. • 39% of 7 to 12-year-old girls with a history of child sexual abuse had academic difficulties. • 7 to 12 year-old girls with a history of child sexual abuse were 50% more likely to display cognitive ability below the 25th percentile. • 26% of 7 to 12 year-old girls with a history of child sexual abuse reported that their grades dropped after they were abused and 48% had below-average grades. • A history of child sexual abuse significantly increases the chance of dropping out of school.
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