The Effects Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Children

The effects of childhood sexual abuse carry on with the children forever. To what extent and to what effect does abuse have on children during adulthood? What are the main issues that adults have been abused suffer from in adulthood? Do they have more of a physical issue with preforming with their partner in the bedroom or do they have more of a mental block due to their trauma? The world had been asking these questions for far too long and we need answers on how helping the children of our world. The questions that have been stated have been answered through the two articles that will be summarized below.

The article that I read was on long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse. The article covers many symptoms that survivors experience as a result of the abuse. Survivors are faced with trust issues, self-blame, and shame. Most of the sexual abuse is performed by someone the child trusts and loves. The effects are many and some that are abused even regress the abuse. Taking that first step to counseling or therapy is the start of the healing process.

Child sexual abuse is an ever-present, psychologically and physically damaging event that occurs daily to hundreds of children. Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is not going away any time soon and the lives of so many precious children are altered forever. These abused children often grow up to be psychologically damaged adults with emotional, cognitive and physical issues that may never be able to be conquered. Far too many adults live with the pain of their secret and it can be quite debilitating. Adults who were abused as children may have many problems in their

Sexual abuse leaves many scars, creating feelings of guilt, anger, and fear that haunt survivors throughout their lives. These traumatic experiences can be detrimental to the victims’ sense of their own sexuality. Numerous individuals who have been abused have trouble pursuing adult relationships and engaging in sex as an adult. The abuse can color a person 's sexuality, preventing the survivor from pursuing a healthy sex life with a caring partner.  Sexual abuse is defined as unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent (Corcoran & Walsh, 2006). An immediate reaction to individuals who have been sexually abused include shock, fear or disbelief. Long-term symptoms include anxiety, fear or post-traumatic stress disorder (Corcoran & Walsh, 2006).

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

As stated by John Briere and Diana Elliott, those who have been sexually assaulted as a child have “a four-time greater lifetime risk for major depression than do individuals with no such abuse history” (57). Kristen Springer, et al. found that, “46% of those with a history of childhood sexual abuse, compared with 28% of those with no abuse, had experienced a major depressive episode” (866). Depression “has been found to be the most common long-term symptom among survivors. Mayo Staff Clinic describes depression as, “a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest.” Melissa and Joshua Hall state that depression from childhood sexual assault results in, “survivors having difficulty in externalizing the abuse, thus thinking negatively about themselves” (2). It is said that symptoms of those abused may include,” feeling down much of the time, having suicidal ideation, having disturbed sleeping patterns, and having disturbed eating patterns” (Hall, 2). Although the assault may have occurred as much as 15 years ago or so, the misery from the event can continue to overpower one's happiness. Survivors tend to avoid others and feel almost useless, as if they have nothing to offer. Recurring misery and negative thoughts can take over the lives of adults and result in different levels of depression. Although not all of the

The third distinctive argument is that sexual abuse puts teens at risk for teen pregnancy. When someone is sexually assaulted they usually do not report it in fear of what others may say or think of them. As a child, children are unaware of whats right from wrong putting them at a higher risk to be abused. Under-aged children tend to suffer sexual abuse from someone closer to them like a parent, aunt/uncle, sibling, or even a babysitter. Because children do not know that any form of touching someone who does not consent to it is sexual abuse they tend to suffer from abuse longer. Researchers Boyer and Fine (1992) have argued that the trauma of sexual victimization may harm normal developmental process. As these children grow older and

The negative consequences of sexual abuse on children should never be underestimated as it has the potential to damage the child victim psychologically, mentally and physically both in the short term and long term. This has been demonstrated in the findings of studies on sexually abused children. Some studies also conclude that sexual abuse is not a traumatic experience to some children at the time of the abuse. This suggests that there is no lasting effect on these children as it does not harm them. Other studies suggest that some children are resilient as they device some coping mechanism to deal with the

Karajurt and Silver wrote the article, “Therapy for Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors Using Attachment and Family Systems Theory Orientations,” to show how Childhood Sexual Abuse affects the child through adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse is better known as any sexual contact that an adult does by using threats, force, deception, touching, and anything that the child does not know is wrong due to age and mental stability. Karakurt and Silver (2014), says that:

Sexual abuse in children has an impact on their development in adulthood. As a result of this horrifying experience, victims may feel ashamed of themselves even though they are the victims and have done nothing wrong. Also victims have an inability to trust adults because someone they once trusted took advantage of them. They may feel defenseless and powerless. Sexual abuse never goes away, as much as an individual tries to block it, it will be a part of them for the rest of their lives.

Childhood sexual abuse is one form child abuse that includes a wide range of actions between a child and an adult or older child. It is a topic that is receiving much attention and concern in recent years. In this paper several points will be discussed regarding childhood sexual abuse. We must first understand what sexual abuse and who is at a higher risk for being abused. It is also important to know and be aware of signs and symptoms of childhood sexual abuse. But most importantly the long term effects that childhood sexual abuse can cause should be well understood so that early intervention and recovery can be implemented. A case study conducted in Australia proves that childhood sexual abuse does not stop when the abuse stops but it very well impacts the survivor throughout adulthood. This further stresses the importance of early intervention and the importance of raising awareness about this type of abuse.

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.

Since doctors usually work in a surgery or hospital clinic, the diagnosis will be made following a process of history-taking and examining the child. Pediatricians see children as their patients and are therefore bound to come into contact with child sexual abuse. Some of these children may have symptoms and signs, and if they have not disclosed the abuse they depend on a doctor to initiate concern about it. Both doctors and children will benefit from medical practice that accepts and recognizes a level of medical concern expressed in terms of 'reasonable medical certainty' (Faller, 2009).

The United States has one of the worst records among industrialized nations- losing an average between four and seven children every day to child abuse and neglect (childhelp.org). Child abuse is a problem that can prevented with treatment programs and education for schools where teachers and administration can learn how to detect abuse. They may not be able to tell if a child is being physically, emotionally, sexually abused, or neglected but can be instrumental in alerting authorities if they suspect mistreatment. Child abuse and neglect is commonly passed down through generations; therefore the government must fund and mandate education to prevent further reprise.

Childhood sexual abuse is a worldwide concern in today's time. This type of abuse rarely results in death, but is consequences can be serious and carry on into adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse has not been strongly related to higher levels of depression , guilt, self blame, eating sickness, fear, stress, dissociative patterns, denial, sexual and relationship problems.