Personal Narrative: My Life As A Victim Of Childhood Sexual Assault

Studies have shown a clear correlation between childhood sexual assault (CSA) and negative sexual experiences later in life. Of relevance to the criminal justice system, these later forms of sexual victimization include sexual assault and sex work. The relationship between CSA and adverse sexual development is a correlation between two things, not a direct pathway from cause to effect. While survivors of sexual assault are at a higher risk of experiencing these later forms of victimization, this correlation represents a highly complex process involving a wide range of mediating factors and the intersections between them. Any experience of sexual assault is highly traumatic. Survivors of CSA, however, represent a unique population, because their trauma occurs near the start of the human developmental process and therefore alters all development thereafter.

My family plays an important role in my life. I have a strong relationship with my parents, three sisters, two older brothers and my husband. My younger brother left the home when he was 12 years old and the family has no contact with him. My family strength is our support system and helping each other out. The other systems education, work, social interaction and health are also important in my life.

Overcoming these obstacles has made me a mature and strong individual. I am proud of what I have accomplished, even with the hardships that I have had to face and my biggest goal is to make my parents proud.

Victims of sexual assault suffer from a wide variety of mental and emotional issues throughout their lives as a result of the experience. Results can range from depression, anger, feelings of loneliness, and difficulty when trying to formulate relationships of trust (Hyde 45). Victims experience a wide variety of psychological issues as a result of sexual crimes, which they will have to carry with them throughout their entire lives. Also, “Psychological problems can start later in life with changes in behavior- vague fears, feeling unprotected and helpless, nightmares, bedwetting, sleeping problems, fear to loss parents approval/love, need to please others, poor self esteem, anger, depression, withdrawal from activities, daydreaming, difficulty concentrating, behavior problems” (Hyde 47).

There are many things I wouldn’t put past my estranged mother: she’s trolled me in the comment section of my online articles, publicly disowned me and my sister on Facebook more than once, and put me in very serious legal trouble. But I never thought I would see her openly defending a man who bragged about “grabbing pussy”, nor did I think I’d see her outright mock victims of alleged sexual assault, especially because she is a survivor of sexual abuse and assault.

This paper reviews several articles that discuss the lasting effects that sexual abuse can have on a child into their adult years. The articles agree that victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) will most likely suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or experience revictimization. This paper will also address the common forms of coping that victims of child sexual abuse take part in. Some research will touch on proper healing techniques for victims of CSA to receive.

I realized I am strong and resilient, and nothing is going to stop me from obtaining my goal of living a successful, interesting, effective life of my own

My family influences me to make the right shows in my life. I am strong because I have seen my family struggler. I learned from my experience to be strong to reach my goals. I am confident because I can't let people use me and walk over me and brave during difficult times. My family has dreams for me which coincide with mine. Their sacrifices are my motivation.

I spent nearly five years getting rid of the shadows that I have experienced sexual assault. This incident occurred in the winter when I was a five-grade student in primary school. However, until now, I still remember it.

Charles Blow in the article, “Surviving Child Sexual Abuse”,argues that child sexual abuse should be taken serious, so other could speak out to their lives. Blow supports his argument by explaining that children will be afraid if they don’t see the help they need because an adult has already harmed them, so they see the rest as a threat. The author purpose is to persuade to help children that are being abused in order to help them understand that not everyone is evil in this world. The author writes in informal tone for the victims of this

Sexual abuse of children damages them for them entire lifetimes and robs them of the full, comfortable relationships they should have as adults. However, given these differences, sexual abuses evokes similar responses in everyone because it is as aggressive and conceive abuses of power that is expensive as humiliating, degrading and destruction. One of the major achievements of the past quarter century has been the growing awareness of the prevalence and changing psychological consequences of the sexual abuse of children. The majority of perpetrators are someone the child or family knows. As many as 93% of victims under the age of 18 know the abuser. A perpetrator does not have to be an adult to harm a child. They can have any relationship to the child including an older sibling or playmate, family member, a teacher, a coach or instructor, a caretaker, or the parent of another child. According to 1 in 6, sexual abuse is the result of abusive behavior that takes advantage of a child’s vulnerability and is in no way related to the sexual orientation of the abusive person.”

Faint memories of his hands fumbling around my body, ending up in places they had no business being, rest inside my head. Some days are different, I don't always think about it. On a good day, I am able to push those menacing thoughts to the back of my mind, but flashbacks of those dreadful days refuse to leave my mind. The innocence I was oblivious to, coupled with, the loss of trust resulted in a type of lesson I was not prepared for. The circumstances I once endured are something I have grown to accept, furthermore, I understand the fault of my abuse does not rest upon my shoulders.

After a few minutes, I pull into the parking lot, parking right next to a little blood red sedan with a license plate that gives me a chuckle, FME HRD. Shaking my head I walk into the office and toward my desk, sitting my satchel down I knock on Lucy's door. I walk in quietly as I hear her on the phone, walking over to get a soda from her little fridge. I hear her talking to an unknown party as I look at her wall of pictures, I can see pictures of her with many high powered people. I see her with the mayor, as well as with the governor and many others I don't recognize. I know it's foolish, but I can't help but feel a little inadequate, here's this woman, barely into her upper twenties, she's met so many high powered people. Here I am knocking

My family means everything and more to me. They are my support, backbone, and give me the motivation to put forth my best efforts in everything I do. When I decided to start a new path after my Marine Corps career, going to school was one of many options I had. With the encouragement and support of my family I made the choice to go back to college eventually pursuing my dreams of attending TCU. When I made that choice I made a commitment to them to be the best student possible. My first year in college was an experience that was different than anything I was used to but I stayed true to my commitment earning academic honors, and scholarships. Every decision I make I do so with my family in mind.

Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry). Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience affecting the lives of not only the victim, but those close to the victim as well. Many think there is only one person truly traumatized, but in fact, everyone involved is affected. The victim has to deal with their experience the rest of their lives. They may be more at risk for other mental issues as well, including depression. The family involved has to deal with its pain, often causing hardship and discord within the family. This is especially true