The Effects of Sexual Abuse on Children

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.

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

The sexual child abuse issue has become of significance within the United States as an alarming focus in the past 30 years. Sexual child abuse (SCA) is such an extensive topic and yet as time progresses this subject is more unrestricted for discussion, various dialogs are provided to make parents and care-takers aware of the signs of potential sexual child abuse. Seminars are provided to and for children to teach methods in identifying any possible perpetrators and report any peculiar behavior they may come across. However, how fortunate are children from other countries in reporting or discussing this same issue when something so violated occurs to them? According to Alpert, J.L., Brown, L.S., & Courtois, C.A., (1998), there have been findings that are constant in supporting that at least 20% of American women and 5% to 10% of American men have experienced some type of sexual abuse in childhood and that such abuse has transpired without regard to origin, race, or socioeconomic status. In an urban study however, which concentrated in Leon, Nicaragua, determined that sexual abuse defined childhood and adolescence as younger than age 19 Olsson, A., Ellsber, E., Berglund, S., Herrera, A., Zelaya, E., Pena, R., Zelaya, F., & Persson, L.A. (2000). Additionally, according to the Nicaraguan study sexual abuse was described as any sexual act by an older individual towards a child who is 12 years of age or younger.

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.

. (Stewart, ) contends that feelings of vulnerability, unworthiness and powerless difficulty in distinguishing sexual from affectionate behaviours, mistrust, shame, guilt, stigma and mental health problems are psychological effects of CSA. A study conducted by (Wilson, 2010) indicates that adult survivors of CSA show a series of psychological and physical problems throughout their lives. (Hornor, 2010) argues that the majority of children who are sexually abused will be moderately to severely symptomatic at some point in their life. There is evidence to suggest that (Stevenson, 1999) children who are exposed to sexual abuse are at risk negative consequences as a result of the abuse itself, not solely as a consequence of other associated background

As time goes on the child will experience verbal seduction, prolonged kissing, french kissing, looking at children nude, anal or vaginal intercourse, oral sex, manual stimulation in other words rape. Children may even be photographed naked or video taped to created sexual stimulation. The child will have threats given to them by the abuser such as if you don't let me do this, you will be in trouble with results in a harsh punishment leading to other forms of abuse that could be not feeding the child which is neglect or physical punishment of beatings. The abuser could also be other children, aunts, uncles, grandparents, step mothers or fathers, even day care providers, anyone of any age older then the child who is being sexually abused and left alone with this person is at risk for sexual abuse. When this child is engaging in sexual activity it is more likely for the child to have problems with their genitals of bleeding, itching, intense pain, bruising, and difficulty using the

Child sexual abuse (CSA) often goes unnoticed and many children will remain silent victims. It can be very difficult for children to talk about, or even acknowledge that this form of abuse is occurring. While there are rising numbers of child sexual abuse cases being reported within the United States, it is disheartening to know that there are even more cases that go unrecognized each year. The American Humane Association (2013) explains that “According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), an estimated 9.3 percent of confirmed or substantiated child abuse and neglect cases in 2005 involved sexual abuse (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). This figure translates into over 83,800 victims in

Enos, W. F., Conrath, T. B., & Byer, J. C. (1986). Forensic Evaluation of the Sexually Abuse Child. Pediatrics, 78(3), 385.

Physically, there may be indications of sexual abuse. A child who experiences sexual assault has a biological effect which results in numerous forms. Not every child will show these indications, but when examined by a medical professional, there are common signs that show the child has been sexually assaulted (Kinnear). The biological perspectives relate directly with the physical development of the body and the brain. These signs include: pregnancy, venereal disease, semen in the vagina, a torn hymen, vaginal injury, injury to the penis

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

The diagnosis of sexual abuse in children has substantial implications legally, communally and emotionally for the child, the parents and the clinician. Therefore, the FNP must consider the medical-legal implication of the interview with the patient, the parents as well as the history and physical exam of the child. Careful documentation of all findings from the visit is vital to the advocacy of the patient (Burns, et al, 2013).

It is always so saddening to hear about sexual abuse especially when it involves a child, but many times there are more damaging psychological and emotional effects when a child is sexually abused. These effects can be short or long term and might not appear until later in life when the child has grown and understands what has happened. Events like these can alter a child’s perspective on life because sexuality is a big part of healthy development, but when it is important that sexuality occurs at the correct time of development and not in the form of sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse is one of the most pervasive social problems faced by this society. Its impact is profound because of the sheer frequency with which it occurs and because of the long-term devastating consequences brought to the lives of the children and adult survivors who have experienced child sexual abuse. For some children, the path to recovery from sexual abuse requires only short-¬term support and intervention. Other children, however, continue to re¬-experience the trauma with symptoms of fear, anxiety, nightmares, phobias, clinging behavior, depression, suicidality, alcohol and/or drug abuse, and self¬-destructive behaviors. Once survivors decide it is time to tell someone, or

The beliefs that children are unable invent stories about sexual abuse led to the imprisonment of many innocent people. This outbreak of sexual abuse cases started of in the early 80s, where children claimed that their teacher, parent, doctor, or baby sitter sexually abused them. When a person is sexually abused one expects to see physical signs of “sexual penetration” that provide solid evidence to

With the striking of an object, the father leaves the child laying helplessly on the floor. The child wailing out for help from a “parent”, but no parent comes, so there the child lay balling. How could a parent abuse something they created? A person that is abused feels alone because they do not have a real parent figure, nor a family member to talk to. Some parents claim they spank the child; however, hit the child more than once. Abused children not only experience the effects of the abuse in childhood, but it also becomes a lifelong battle into adulthood.