Child sexual abuse is a frightening reality in the Philippines as it is in many countries around the world.  Of all the forms of abuse of children, sexual abuse may be the gravest, possibly leaving the deepest scars on its victims.  It is a violence that does not necessarily involve physical force, and therefore, it easily leaves the abused child with the false notion that they bare the responsibility for what is happening because somehow they gave their consent. A sense of guilt is added to the child's feeling of pain, shame and confusion. continue