Final answer:
Vulnerability to child sexual abuse is particularly high in homes with a constantly changing cast of characters due to less stable family structures and a greater number of potential abusers coming and going, which complicates protective oversight.
Step-by-step explanation:
Children who live in homes with a constantly changing cast of characters are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse. This vulnerability can arise due to a lack of stable and secure family structure, making it difficult for the child to form trusting relationships with caregivers. Children in these environments may also encounter more individuals who could potentially harm them, and the transient nature of those individuals in the home can make it harder to establish consistent protective oversight. Furthermore, risk factors such as social isolation, depression, parental substance abuse, and a history of the parents being mistreated as children can also increase the chances of child abuse and neglect.
Child abuse occurs across a variety of forms, with neglect being the most common followed by physical and sexual abuse. Young parents, such as teenage mothers, are more likely to abuse or neglect their children, and the risk decreases as the parent's age increases. Additionally, children who are different, like those with cognitive impairments or those part of the LGBTQ+ community, may be at a higher risk of being bullied or hurt.