Physical Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can be hard to define because of the many different forms it can take on, the different levels of frequency, the variation of circumstances that can occur. Until a child is fit to function as a self-supporting and informed adult, we have an obligation not to take advantage of their lack of power or protection to inflict damage, or demand submission to acts that are not in their own best interests within. Children are being abused every day in different countries. While commonly accepted wisdom had been that childhood sexual abuse results in long lasting negative outcomes.

Child sexual abuse involves a wide range of sexual activity. It may include fondling of the

Being sexually abused is a very traumatizing experience, and this form of victimization at a young age only amplifies the situation. The mortifying nature of child sexual abuse often brings along with it changes in the victim's life. Some of the numerous short term effects (problems that impact them while they are still at a young

Sexual abuse is a prevalent crime that can have numerous short and long term effects on a victim. It describes as any form sexual activity that is accomplished by force or threat where consent is not given. This includes rape, molestation, incest, and other similar forms of non-consensual sexual contact. The effects of sexual abuse are not the same for every victim, victims may feel varied responses and emotions that can depend on own situations. The act of abuse may had happened a long time ago or be more recent.

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

One of the most perverse traumas experienced by children is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is an unfortunate reality for many children all over the world. Most

An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today (Darness2Light, 2009a ). This figure continues to grow daily as perpetrators of this crime continue in this destructive path. The definition of child sexual abuse is the force, coercion, or cajoling of children into sexual activities by a dominant adult or adolescent. Sexual abuse of children includes touching (physical) sexually including: fondling; penetration (vaginal or anal using fingers, foreign objects or offenders organs; oral sex, or non-physical contact including: sexual comments; indecent exposures; masturbating in a child’s presence; child prostitution or child pornography (Child Welfare, 2009a).

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is growing and becoming more prevalent around the world (Aspelmeier, Elliott, & Smith, 2007; Karakurt & Silver, 2014; Mikulincer & Shaver, 2007). As such, CSA acquired concern as being a serious problem in recent decades. CSA is any type of sexual relation with a child, who is unable to consent, through force, threat, or dishonesty to assure participation. Consequently, CSA associates with psychological difficulties, such as Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

1) Minimize Opportunity- More than 80% of the abuses occurs when the child is isolated with

The definition of “child sexual abuse” has come a long way since its origin. Today, it is defined as any sexual act between an adult and a minor, or between two minors, when one exerts power over the other; this includes non-contact acts such as exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, voyeurism, and communicating in a sexual manner by phone or Internet. However, the issue of child sexual abuse was irrelevant until it was brought to the public’s attention by Western

Throughout the United States, sexual abuse is more common that one may think and is not always understood to it’s full definition. In fact, in her book, Why Me? Help for Victims of Child Sexual Abuse (Even If They Are Adults Now), Lynn B. Daugherty, Ph.D., states that one in every four children are subject to some type of sexual abuse by the time they are eighteen years old. That means twenty-five percent of children some form of sexual abuse before they are adults. Although it is often thought of as physical harm during sexual intercourse, there is much more to sexual abuse than that. So, what does sexual abuse really entail and what are the long term effects of sexual abuse on children?

In addition to various professional settings that require different definitions, the context or motivations involved also make this a complicated phrase to define.(Haugaard, 2000). Although there is some ambiguity when defining child sexual abuse and the severity of the abuse it goes without saying that this has become a major problem regardless of how it is loosely defined. This paper will not go into this debate, rather it will focus on the definition of child sexual abuse that can be recognized within the clinical setting. For the purpose of this paper child sexual abuse will refer to any behaviors that exploit children in a sexual manner. These behaviors include but are not limited to fondling of the child, coerced masturbation, sexual kissing, exposure to pornography and sexual intercourse. When adults use their authority to manipulate children into performing or engaging in these behaviors it is considered sexual exploitation and abuse. It does not matter if the child “consents” or argues they enjoyed it because they are not cognitively able to make this decision. In order to protect children from being exploited by sexual offenders prevention programs must be implemented. These programs must educate parents and children about sexual abuse to

The definition of this kind of abuse has changed over the years. Sexual relations between adults and children was not always considered abusive and illegal (Kinnear, 2007). In early history, “female of ‘three years and one day’ could be betrothed by sexual intercourse with her father’s permission. Intercourse with one younger was not a crime nut invalid” (Rush, 1980, p. 17). As time progressed, society’s attitude of Child Sexual Abuse has changed. In the United States and many other countries, children were no longer seen as possessions. Sexual relations with children are generally considered to be wrong and there are laws in place to protect children from Child Sexual Abuse.

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

Child sexual abuse includes sexual activity with a minor (ChildSexualAbuse). Due to their age, a child cannot legally give consent to sexual activity. According to Rainn.org, forms of child sexual abuse include, but not limited to, sex of any kind, oral or vaginal. It also includes producing, sharing or owning pornographic images and movies of children. These activities and other forms of sexual conduct is harmful to a child’s emotional, mental, or physical welfare and can have long last effects on the child (ChildSexualAbuse). About 93% of victims that are under the age of 18 know their abuser (ChildSexualAbuse). If the child