Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CSA)

Sixty percent of adults report experiencing abuse or other difficult family circumstances during childhood. (Mental Health Connection, N.D.). This shocking statistic exemplifies the high prevalence of childhood trauma. Furthermore, twenty-six percent of children in the United States will witness or experience a traumatic event before the age of four. (Mental Health Connection, N.D.) Trauma is an extremely common and complex phenomenon. But what is trauma? According to Merriam Webster, trauma is defined as, “a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury.” (Merriam Webster, 2017). Dr. Lenore C. Terr from the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of America further describes trauma as unique to each individual. It can be caused by a series of events or one severe incident. Unfortunately, childhood trauma is usually experienced repeatedly. For example, many children endure sexual abuse, bullying, and severe family problems over and over again. Children may experience a variety of traumas that have lasting consequences on their mental health. Those who experience childhood trauma are more likely to develop psychological disorders. This occurs because their brains lack neuroplasticity, which inhibits their ability to adapt to various stressful circumstances.

What is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? The American Psychiatric Association (2013) describes Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a serious disorder that can put the mental and physical health of an individual with PTSD at risk (p.3). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can be formed by a variety of situations. The American Psychiatric Association (2013) states that Posttraumatic Stress Disorder can be formed by the exposure to death, rape, any serious injury, and many other stressful situations (p. 3). The American Psychiatric Association (2013) also describes the symptoms of PTSD as “irritability, aggressiveness, self-destructiveness, reckless behavior, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response, difficulty concentrating, and sleep disturbances

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after experiencing a dangerous and/or terrifying event (Psychology Today, 2015). PTSD is associated with changes in brain function and structure and these changes provide clues to the causes, treatment, and prevention of PTSD (PTSD United, 2013). This condition can appear at any age and currently affects about 7.7 million American adults (Psychology Today, 2015). Before 1980, the legitimacy of PTSD was debated by the general public as well as health professionals (PTSD United, 2013). At one point in time, it was considered a psychological condition of combat veterans who were dismayed by and unable to deal with their experiences on the battlefield (PTSD United, 2013).

Sexual abuse is defined as any form of sexual contact between a person below eighteen years and an adult (TeensHealth, 2014). Sexual abuse can also occur when there is a sexual contact between an older child and a younger child, between family members, or when a party overpowers another party irrespective of age difference (Sanderson, 2006). It comprise of a broad range of behaviour that include rape, sodomy, intercourse, exhibitionism and exploitation through pornography. Sexual abuse occurs when an unsuitable act is committed by a child’s caregiver while an assault is when an unsuitable sexual act is committed by a person not responsible for caring a child (Faller, 1993).Sexual abuse entails varying degrees of emotional trauma and violence.

CSA is a public health problem which requires a strategic coordinated response. The needs of sexually abused children require attention. This group of individuals require therapeutic services in order to meet their needs. Therefore, the first task in treating sexually abused children is carrying out a therapeutic evaluation (Mathews, Naeemah & Jewkes 2013). This is necessary in order to identify problem areas, as well as the strengths and coping styles of the child, and also to determine whether and how to provide treatment to the child. Furthermore, appropriate and early intervention is essential in order to minimize the risk of long- term negative outcome of CSA, especially for child victims who show symptoms of sexual abuse (Mangilo, 2009)

Childhood sexual abuse is a traumatic experience, and changing the child forever. according to statistics 7 % to 36 % of women and 3% to 29% of men report childhood sexual abuse (CSA) (Springer, Sheridan, Kuo, Carnes, 2003). The amount abused is staggering beyond the immediate effects of CSA there are numerous long-term health issues that stem form CSA, yet there is hope for recovery from CSA for victims.

CSA research has primarily focused on the experiences of girls, yet data suggests CSA of boys is far more common than generally perceived (Dorahy & Clearwater, 2012; Payne, Galvan, Williams, Prusinski, Zhang, Wyatt, & Myers, 2014). International studies have found that 5-10% of males report having been sexually abused in childhood (Easton, Coohey, Rhodes, & Moorthy, 2013). However, accurate prevalence rates are difficult to obtain due to low rates of abuse disclosure among boys and men (Payne et al., 2014). The discrepancy between reported and actual rates of CSA has led to significant research into the experience of male victims of CSA and the process of their disclosure (Allagia, 2005; Dorahy & Clearwater, 2010; Easton, 2013; Easton et al.,

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.

Numerous mental impacts of CSA are found in offspring of all ages. Children who are sexually abused are at considerably greater risk for stress and other anxiety symptoms, sadness and suicide ideation. These emotional issues can cause substantial distractions in normal development and often have a lasting impact, leading to dysfunction and distress well into adulthood. Behavioral problems, including physical aggression, non-compliance, and oppositionality occur frequently among sexually abused children and adolescents (Saunders, B.E., Kilpatrick, D.G., Hanson, R.F., Resnick, H.S., & Walker, M. E, 1999).

Child sexual abuse is a significant public health problem. It is one that can causes toxic stress and results in multiple long-term health consequences, both human and financial costs, and a host of social problems. If government and the community work together, this monster of Carnal Abuse can be destroy. Children should not have to grow up in this nightmare; Mothers should not be worrying whether their child will be rape.

What constitutes child sexual abuse(CSA) is varied. CSA is widely understood to be any sexual activity enacted on a child through force, threat, or manipulation, and include physical contact such as fondling,

Childhood sexual abuse is a difficult topic to comprehend let alone have open discussion about the issue. I know for me, I cannot fathom someone wanting to hurt a child in this way, but then I wonder what makes a person have the desire to afflict such a traumatic experience on a child. The reading this week did not answer the questions I have, but it did give me a better understanding on how people cope with these experiences.

CSA is an inexcusable felony for which perpetrators frequently go let off as victims struggles scared for life. It is a universal problem which happens all over the world, among all the sections of society, educated and uneducated, wealthy and among impecunious even. The perpetrator can just be anybody who is overhang by desire and makes an innocent child a victim. Though we have statistical evidence provided by many organizations regarding the number of CSA cases, it cannot be certain about the number because there are no particular standard psychological indications for sexual ill-treatment, while majority of children would not reveal the sexual abuse during childhood. They maintain concealment, cautious disclosures and retractions. Ronald Summit termed this “Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome”. He argued that children who are been sexually abused are self-blame and self-doubt themselves. They might afraid of the person behind and the probable consequences of exposé. Thus, in order to endure sexual abuse by a reliable family member, they make accommodating efforts to cope up with the abuse and to remain the abuse undisclosed. Some children hide it totally and when it comes back during their teenage or at adulthood, it will almost devastate them to the ground as being a victim of CSA.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a growing social concern. Statistics reveal approximately a quarter of young adults experience sexual abuse during childhood with a further 1,761 aged 18-24 years (Lantern Project, 2012). Rates were appointed at 2,160 amongst the younger generation from 0-11. However, the highest prevalence age; ranges between 11-17, with 2,275 children affected (Lantern Project, 2012). CSA is socially constructed and remarkably influenced by the culture, resulting in complications to establish a universally agreed definition. Moreover, CSA can be seen as "forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activity" (Sanderson, 2006). Sexualized behavior can range from contact and/or non-contact sexual experiences, such as exposure

The purpose of Rind et. al. (1998) is to conclude whether or not a child sexual abuse experience cause intense psychological harm. In order to do this, they conducted a study using college students. They correlated alcohol problems, anxiety, depression, dissociation, hostility, eating disorders, interpersonal sensitivity, locus of control,