Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Case Study

As time progresses on, more reports of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been documented. According to Colangelo and Cooperman, CSA is defined as “the use of a child under 18 years of age as an object of gratification for adult sexual needs and desires.” Another definition of CSA is “sexual abuse [that] occurs whenever one person dominates and exploits another by means of sexual activity or suggestion.” (Hall, M., & Hall, J., 2011) it is difficult to

While negative effects manifest differently in females than males, the abuse is equally damaging to both genders. In my experience, most male CSA victims are riddled with feelings of guilt and shame. Most often their abuse was perpetrated by a trusted male during a critical time in development. Although the sexual contact was unsolicited and unwanted, their body had a physiological response to stimulation. This confusion often contributes to the victim’s belief that the abuse was somehow their fault, therefore “causing an unwillingness to admit to being victimized, and difficulty making negative attributions regarding an otherwise positive person” Ondersma et al.). Rind’s utilization of a college sample excludes the aforementioned male CSA victims. Since their maladaptive behaviors often lead to addiction, delinquency, and poor academic performance, males who suffered more maladaptive effects are very unlikely to be included in a college sample. Therefore, Rind’s findings can’t be accurately generalized to the majority

19). A great majority of children that are sexually abused will show moderate to severe symptoms at some point in their life (Hornor, 2010). The degree of symptomatic behavior depends on the type and severity of sexual abuse, the age and gender of the child, the age and gender of the perpetrator, the relationship between the child and the perpetrator, accompanying physical abuse, and the number, frequency, and duration of abuse (Bahali et al., 2010). Short-term effects of CSA include: impulsive behavior (aggressiveness, hostility), emotional distress (anxiety, fear, and somatic complaints), low self-esteem, dissociative symptoms (amnesia, forgetfulness, dreaming, multiple personality disorder, and fainting), and conversion disorder (Bahali et al., 2010). Long-term effects include: post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, sexual dysfunction, borderline personality disorder, somatization, eating disorders, self-destructive or suicidal behavior, repeated victimization, criminal behavior, substance abuse and prostitution (Bahali et al., 2010). In agreement, Ozbaran et al., (2008) reported that sexually abused children have a high incidence of behavior problems including anxiety, depression, attention problems, aggression, social problems, social withdrawal, and somatization. Genital CSA is

Rasmussen, K. (2006, April). Sexually abusive children: Treatment recommendations from the literature and therapists. Retrieved March 17, 2008, from http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/pqdweb?index=2&sid=2&srchmode=1&vinst=PROD&fmt=6&startpage=.1&clientid=25164&vname=PQD&RQT=309&did=1144195101

One of the most common factors with child sex offenders is the act of “grooming”. Grooming is looked at as a process by which the offender commits acts, physical and verbal, to obtain trust and secrecy with the child to prepare for sexual abuse to occur (Williams et al., 2013, p. 135). These initial acts are intended to eventually build a relationship with the child that leads to sexual abuse., The offender will then maintain control of the victim through threats or intimidation to maintain secrecy of the relationship (Black et. Al., 2014, p.141). The offender uses grooming techniques for sexual desensitization (Bennett & O’Donohue, 2014, p. 957), such as hugs, kisses to the cheek, letting a hand linger on a leg, or statements of affection.

Most client have only heard of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), they would never consider the possibility that Behavior and Cognitive therapy are two separate entities. As the name suggests behavior therapy focuses on the client’s behavior and how to change it. Cognitive therapy on the other hand focuses on changing the clients cognitive processes, the way that they thing about themselves and the world around them. It was not until Donald Meichenbaum, with his Cognitive Behavioral Modification in the 1970s that both cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy was used simultaneously to treat clients (Corey, 2013). The theories mentioned can be used with client form various population, in this paper the population that is going to be discussed are survivors of sexual abuse. The discussion will be on comparing and contrasting how these therapies can be used in the treatment of this population.

Child abuse is an all too common practice in the United States with over six million children affected every year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). In 2012, 82.2% of child abuse perpetrators were found to be between the ages of 18-44, of which 39.6% were recorded to be between the ages of 25-34 (11 facts about child abuse, 2015). Child abuse is a real problem in this world. Child sex abuse includes body contact, such as kissing and oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Sex abuse can also include “flashing” or showing private parts, forcing children to watch pornography, voyeurism (trying to look at a child’s naked body), pressuring children for sex, having sex in front of children, and exploiting children for pornography or

CSA is defined as “any forced or coerced sexual activity with a minor including noncontact abuse, sexual molestation, and rape (CITE).” This article reports that it is projected that 135,300 CSA’s every year. This not including the unreported cases, so this projection could be higher in number. There is several negative emotions and consequences children of CSA could face in their life. CSA children are at a higher risk of several emotional and mental disorders, which include suicide, low self-esteem, and risky behaviors such as substance abuse. Posttraumatic stress disorder has been associated with CSA victims. They categorized the CSA relationship to the perpetrator by “strangers, acquaintances, and friends as non-relatives.” The mother’s romantic partners, step-brothers and sisters and step-parents were put in the category of non-blood relative. The immediate paternal family which includes the grandparents were categorized as non-blood relatives.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent phenomenon in society, with approximately one in three girls and one in ten boys under 18 years of age experiencing it (Loeb et al., 2002). For the purposes of this paper, CSA will be defined as any sexual behavior, forced or coerced, performed on someone who is aged 18 years or younger, any sexual contact with a child 12 years and younger by someone at least five years older, and any sexual contact with an adolescent between the ages of 13 -18 years and an adult ten years older or more (Hiebert-Murphy, 1998). Recently, some research has found that mothers who reported instances of abuse in their childhood also had children who had been sexually abused, suggesting that CSA is an intergenerational

Potential explanations for these findings have been explored. It is possible that symptoms are present in these survivors yet not detected, avoidant coping styles may be masking these individuals’ distress leading them to experience the related symptoms during later periods of life, or asymptomatic survivors may just be more resilient/surrounded by more resiliency factors (e.g. supportive reaction to disclosure of non-abusing parent(s)) (Collin-Vézina et al., 2013, pp. 4-5; Godbout et al., 2013, pp. 317-318; Hsu, et al., 2002, p. 1) That being said, most of the time CSA survivors are symptomatic.

In closing, it is amazing how traumatic experiences impact the brain and behavior of an individual. In my client’s situation, abuse and trauma were primary issues in her early development. I felt her traumatic experience and bullying caused her to have low self-esteem. She expressed that it was hard for her to form positive relationships with the opposite sex. Change does not happen overnight and it based upon the willingness and motivation of the client. I find that instead of placing judgment on teens, adults should educate their self about this population and find ways to understand their experiences and work together to develop solutions. Clients look to clinicians for emotional dependency and nurturance that was missing in their life.

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and Adolescent Sexual Abuse (ASA) basically encompasses the involvement of a child in sexual behaviors or activities that the child is neither physically nor mentally prepared to initiate or to get involved into. It includes all the cases of victims who lack the capacity to consent, as well as the legal standards specific to each country. Of the different forms of child abuse, CSA and ASA is linked to severe injury. Numerous empirical studies have established a relationship among CSA, ASA and psychological injuries such as Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Phobic Disorders, which may become manifest in the short-term or become chronic. In order to assess the effects of child and adolescent

10:30am- IRTC spoke with CPSS, Brenda Walker, who reported that assigned CPSS, Patricia Mitchell, was present at the Manhattan CAC for the joint visit and there were no disclosure of sexual abuse made by the subject child. CPSS Walker expressed that NYPD was in the process of closing their investigation regarding this matter. IRTC reviewed documentation entered in Connections by CPSS, Patricia Mitchell, on 4/22/17 which states, “CPSS I met with the assigned Detective and the children, FM and CP at the CAC. CPSSI participated in the Forensic Interview with the child. The child never disclosed any form of sexual abuse. CPSSI assessed the children to be fine. The children were medically cleared at Long Island Jewish Hospital.” Based on the above

Statistics state that out of the estimated 4,000,000 babies to be born this upcoming year, 500,000 of them will be sexually abused. It is an awful and terrifying crime to even put your mind to, but it is a very real crime and it is happening all over the United States. As an educator, it is one's job to report any signs of sexual abuse in a student. Mrs. Brandi Wade has been teaching in the classroom for twelve years, and she admits to always reporting to her principle if she sights any signs of abuse. But with Caroline, Brandi admits it is a very different and difficult situation. Caroline has been showing signs that she may be frightened by men, due to possible sexual abuse by a man. How can Bradi make Caroline feel safe in school and not

Survivors of child sexual abuse, (CSA) are likely to develop a variety of mental health problems in adult life which vary widely in austerity, extent, and form. Exposure to sexual abuse as a child has been associated with high risks of psychosis, depressions, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior in adulthood. The recent UK study by Radford et al. (2011) demonstrates that one in four (24.1%) of young adults aged 18–24 surveyed had experienced sexual abuse during childhood. Several recent population and community based studies on youth and adult samples have validated an association between sexual trauma and psychotic manifestations in general.