Numerous studies have proven a definitive link between childhood sexual abuse and depression. Thanks to ongoing support from The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the more than 250 victims of child sexual abuse whom PEI Kids counselors treat each year are screened for depression, and, when necessary, provided with professional treatment. For the past six years, the Foundation has been a critical funder of this component of PEI Kids' Crisis Intervention for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse program.

A recent study in the Journal of Affective Disorders (November 2013) confirms that one of the highest risk variables of chronic depression is having suffered sexual abuse during childhood. Additional high risk factors include having suffered previous episodes of depression, delayed treatment, and incidence of other physical or mental health problems. The three-year study analyzed several variables relating to the physical and mental health of over 35,000 US residents. Results showed that, the longer depression persisted, the more likely the subjects were to have experienced sexual abuse.