Sexual Child Abuse Effects
CJ-4750 Victimology
Lynne Vandekerckhove
11/27/2016
With every society for decades now has been riddled with people that we as humans see as not being part. Those people we refer to are the ones that believe shouldn’t be part of society, such as pedophiles and what they do to our young innocent children. Our children or minors in all societies are the most vulnerable after all for all humans. For this reason they become the easiest target to some. Most of the time that children are victimized is through sexual abuse. Sexual abuse to children is more complicated and delicate than what we would consider to be sexual abuse towards adults. Unlike adults, though, the penalties and consequences of a child being sexually abused can come at many more prices that affect their entire lives and the lives of the people around them.
First, let me go on to explain what I mean by the difference between what would be sexual abuse towards a child. No matter what, child abuse is committed by someone that is older than them, which is typically more than a five year age difference, and is normally always for the arousment of the older individual. It oftenly occurs with body contact. But, what is usually not always considered abuse towards adults, things such as flashing, forcing a child to watch pornography, or to be apart of pornography are also considered to be a part of this. And traditionally, verbally pressuring a child to engage in any
Of the many problems faced by children and adolescents, few provoke such moral outrage as childhood sexual abuse. Many times, as on the television show “To Catch a Predator”, such abuse can be inflicted by strangers who may gradually become familiar with the child online. Sadly, however, often times the perpetrator of sexual abuse on children is someone much more familiar to the child- someone the child may even love.
The current research shows that child sexual abuse has a long-lasting impact on attachment style from early childhood continuing into adulthood. Fresno et al. (2014) were interested in the attachment representations in preschool aged children in Chile because few studies focus on CSA survivors that young and the results of those few studies have not been conclusive. Past studies have found inconsistent results; some studies have determined a CSA is directly linked to insecure attachment representations in survivors, and other studies have found no differences in self-representation among children with CSA history and non-abused children and furthermore, children who were sexually abused had more positive representations of themselves than
Sexual abuse includes urging or inviting a child to take part in sexual activities. These activities can involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. These can include involving children in looking at, or the creation of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities as well as encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways. There are many indicators of sexual abuse which I have detailed in
research indicates that with a broad definition of sexual abuse like “any sexual involvement,” prevalence rates are as high as 50%; a narrow definition of sexual abuse like, “ forced genital activity,” yields prevalence rates of about 5% (Haugaard , 2000). Although children of both
Many children that are sexually assaulted have many deficit after the assault. Corwin & Keeshin (2011) states in sexual abuse, genital injuries may result in acute pain and increase the risk of long-lasting effects such as sexual dysfunction, urinary problems, sexually transmitted infections such as human immunodeficiency virus and reproductive problems. (p.2). Sexual abuse is not only physical but it is psychological as well as is it emotional. Especially with being sexually abuse, the child would be in so much pain, and at the same time try to figure out what just happening to them. Not just that there is a chance that they might get diseases like sexually transmitted diseases, but they may experience dysfunction in their body like urinary problem because their bodies has not fully developed. The other side effect according to Corwin & Keeshin (2011) some child victims of sexual abuse display few initial effects, the majority show some signs of posttraumatic stress, and more than one-third meet diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Another effect that this may have according to Corwin & Keeshin (2011) is
Sexual abuse can start at any age. Children do not know any better then what they are told, so they think what their parent or parents are doing to them is acceptable by touching them seductivly on parts of their genital area. Their is a complete difference in the way a parent or care giver touches a child unacceptably versus acceptably which is by wiping the child's genital areas to just remove just poop or pee to clean the child so they are healthy. Unacceptably is when the child is being touched excessively for pure pleasure this is illegal and should be reported if seen. This is how it starts off and becomes more and more intense over time. At first the child does not feel forced into this or feels threatened because they have so much trust at such a
Today, Americans fail to realize the prevalence and severity of child sexual abuse within the United States. Though crimes of adult rape are of equal importance, the sexual victimization of children, ages seventeen and under, accounted for nearly 70% of all reported sexual assault cases in 2015. To further the issue, arrests were made in only 29% of this child sexual abuse cases; this means that for every ten sexual abuse cases involving children, only three of the perpetrators are convicted and jailed. Why are these supposed perpetrators jailed less frequently than the number of reported child sexual abuse cases? The United States Criminal Justice System fails to provide the deserved protection and justice for the victims of child sexual abuse by not giving proper sentences to perpetrators equal to the damage they have inflicted upon the victim and the continued implementation of the statute of limitations in cases of child sexual abuse.
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).
Child sexual abuse is a growing epidemic, one that most people would like to think happens in some other town, to some other family, to some other child. While it may seem easier to live in denial, child abuse happens everyday. “Researchers estimate that in our country about one out of six boys and one out of four girls are sexually abused.” (“Child Abuse Statistics”). Sexual assault is a very destructive crime as it can cause psychological, emotional and physical damage on a child. Effects of sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to: depression, flashbacks, post traumatic stress disorder and trust issues. Much of the harm caused to victims become more apparent years after the abuse happened. This
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
The pains and the pleasures experienced at the past as a result of sexual abuse are usually tagged along in the present adult relationships. Psychologists have reported that the pain from mental and sexual torture or abuse experienced during childhood are usually almost impossible to erase them beyond adolescents and in adult relationships (Mullen, 1993). Researchers also argue out that the survivors who experienced sexual abuse during their childhood years are relatively more susceptible or more prone to being assaulted or revictimized again during their adolescent years and in their adult relationships. Females have been indicated to be more prone to sexually abuse as compared to males (Putnam, 2003). Childhood sexual abuse is likely to shape an individual’s personality and thereby affect interactions with others and her environment.
I feel that this novel can relate to women especially teenagers. People can relate to this because I feel that the author captures the pains and troubles of everyday high school life with honesty and emotionally.The characters are relatable and the book is honest. This is an important book for the content and message it presents. It gives a lot of insight about troubles these victims have faced and speaks volumes about them dealing with issues. It is important for girls and they need to be aware and watchful and to also be compassionate if they know someone who has gone through this trauma. It explores the damaging effects of sexual assault I think the author has done a great job by sending out the message, that any kind of assault or abuse is a big deal and it is not something to keep quiet about. It explores the deeply damaging effects of sexual assault.
Due to the rise of domestic violence in many families, psychologists are helping affected children cope and confront their emotional imprisonment by using various methods. Over the years, there has been a drastic increase in domestic violence cases. In many instances, the children are most affected in the involvement of the violent disputes. Psychologists study the behaviors of affected children and develop a plan of treatment that aim towards the child’s overall health. Psychologists provide the best treatment by immersing themselves inside the child’s situation and connecting with what the child sees. Furthermore, psychologist use a strategy of taking small steps in the overall treatment. Sadly, over the years, there’s been an increase
Child abuse in American today is amongst the most saddened topics of mankind. Many children are subjected to neglect and abuse on a daily basis. The sex and age of child makes no difference when it comes to child abuse.. Boys and girls are equally likely to suffer maltreatment. The problem is how often child abuse goes unreported. Millions of children across the world are abused in some way, whether it is verbal, emotional, physical or sexual. Child abuse has been happening all over the world to young children, however many children keep this a secret because of fear of what could happen. Child Abuse consists of any act of commission or omission that endangers or impairs a child’s physical or emotional health and development. It can be
Child abuse is just one of the problems in America we face today. Child abuse affects a child’s mind, emotional state of being and this type of abuse or cruelty molds a person to whom they are by the age of eighteen and is a worldwide prevailing occurrence. “Child abuse or ill-treatment creates all forms of physical and /or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.” Child sexual abuse had been extensively known as one of the distress in a child’s life. Previous study have delivered tough indication of child sexual abuse is connected with a quantity of psychological, social, and mental health problems. Depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug abuse, and most illnesses among adult child sexual abuse victims. Former analyses have stated that some of the fears include sexual illnesses, victimization, and close acquaintance violence. In recent times, it has been establish that various physical health conditions are connected to child sexual abuse. In accumulation, child sexual abuse fighters have been found to accomplish less in knowledge and revenue.