Childhood sexual abuse is a widespread and surprisingly common problem, reports the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition, or DVSAC, and the residual effects are likely to haunt victims into adulthood. “A huge portion of the population is carrying secrets of childhood abuse around,” said DVSAC group facilitator Pat Poggi, a marriage and family therapist. “People don’t realize how prevalent sexual assault is.” Sexual abuse stories involving churches, college sports teams, the Boy Scouts and countless others continue to make headlines, said Poggi, and the problem is finally being recognized as one of the country’s top public health issues. “One …