In the U.S., 1 in 7 girls and 1 in 25 boys report being sexually abused before age 18, and experts estimate that much more abuse goes unreported. Child victims of sexual abuse are at increased risk for a variety of mental and physical health issues. But comprehensive mental health services can help mitigate those risks.

In partnership with Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center (CCAC), a local nonprofit that provides evidence-based mental health services for children who have been sexually abused, the Health Lab is evaluating the effectiveness of CCAC’s comprehensive services.

The Health Lab is partnering with CCAC and the Chicago Department of Public Health to analyze data that CCAC collects about children who either receive services or are identified as needing services as part of their normal operations.

This study will target an existing research gap by directly evaluating mental health treatment for child sexual abuse victims as it relates to longer-term outcomes.