The Trauma Of Childhood Sexual Abuse

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.

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.

The highest concern for the article is identifying and treating child abuse, and survivors with a given respect to different cultures. It is important to understand that every culture is different in handling the treatment of their children. “If identifications and interventions with these families and their children are to be appropriate and successful, professionals must communicate effectively with one another and be consistent in the messages they are giving to the families” (Westby, 2007).

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.

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.

. (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

The aim of the research is to explore the long term effects of CSA in three developmental domains; Social, Emotional and Behavioural. The three domains are associated with The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, (Department of Health 2012). Each domain plays a vital role in the developmental needs of a child, interruptions in one or more of the domains can lead to a child not meeting their full potential, (Department for Education and Skills 2004). The Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families, highlights the importance of these specific developmental domains in order for a child to achieve, it is for this reason why I have chosen to explore these areas. The emotional aspect will discuss depression, feelings of guilt and anxiety. The social aspect will focus on relationships and intimacy, and finally the behavioural aspect will discuss issues self-destructive behaviours.

Sexual abuse can be very devastating to an individual both short term and long term. Being a victim of abuse is important to recognize and understand because of the long lasting negative effects of psychological problems and interpersonal distress that are often associated with the abuse (Messman & Long, 2003). Abuse can happen to anyone, young or old, at any time in their life. Childhood abuse, in particular, is believed to increase the likelihood that women will be sexually abused as an adult, because of their vulnerability to form attachments with men who victimize them (Czaja, Dutton, & Spatz, 2008). Some people never experience any kind of abuse, others might be a

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

The client reported she was involved in a car accident in 2012 where her vehicle spun out of control. She denied she sustained any medical injuries. Stephanie reported she has experienced childhood trauma. Reportedly, when she was 8yoa her 12 year old cousin sexually molested her. She indicated, she informed her aunt, but was told not to say anything else about the incident. She also shared as an adult, her cousin whom molested prepositioned her to have sex with one of his friends. She stated she felt like a prostitute and a "piece of her had died." She further shared, she was raped by a male student, which resulted in a short term physically abusive relationship for four months. She stated she after they dissolved the relationship he admitted

According to the National Sex Offender Public Website, “Approximately 1.8 million adolescents in the United States have been the victims of sexual assault.” Most people are unaware of the magnitude of sexual assault in children; however, it is far more common than one might think. As stated by Darkness to Light, “About one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday.”

According to RAINN, “Every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.” That being said within the course of a year, 321,500 are victims of sexual violence. Ages 13-34 remain at the highest risk of sexual assault and 90% of them are victimized females. Take a second to think back to the age of thirteen, imagine how life would differ knowing how sexual assault affects someone. People who have been raped or sexually assaulted suffer serious physical and/or psychological consequences: psychological effects, physical changes and PTSD.

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. It is one of the most prevalent health problems children face today because of the serious physiological and physical damage it imposes on the victim. Statistically, if someone to interview

“Sexual abuse is divided into four categories: traumatic sexualization, stigmatization, betrayal, and powerless” (Kinnear). Traumatic sexualization is due to inappropriate sexual experiences which results in the child avoiding sex or has problems with sexual identity. Stigmatization is based off the child who blames themselves for the abuse they encountered. The victims may feel guilty and withdrawal from their friends and family. Betrayal is the third category, which is defined based off children being sexually abused by a trusted adult. This could be a family member or a friend they have known. The result ends by the victim having difficulty trusting adult figures. The last category is subjected as powerless. Victims who experience this category will feel helpless. They do not understand how they can stop the abuse and will feel overwhelmed from it. Abused victims will experience one of these categories from being neglected (Kinnear).

The proposed research is into the experience of women using nature therapy to heal trauma from sexualized assault or abuse.