Child Victims of Rape

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Louise (2010), a child rape survivor who preferred not to reveal her name, defined rape as being penetrated by a penis, finger or object into the mouth, vagina or anus against one’s will. Hence, rape is a form of a violation of a person’s spirit. In addition, statistics published in October 2013 by the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children stated,” one in twenty children have been sexually abused [and] Over 90% of children who have experienced sexual abuse, were abused by someone they knew.” Thus, in the case of children, it is a more serious violation because they do not know how to defend and protect themselves. Although child victims of rape endure psychological problems and display symptoms of social dysfunctioning, some of them can still overcome the incident.

Children of rape face various psychological effects that have specific symptoms that are obvious and relatively easy to identify. In addition, they have a higher risk of becoming alcoholics or drug addicts and tend to become sexually active at a young age (NSPCC, 2011). Feelings of loneliness and lack of confidence are common characteristics that victims display (NSPCC, 2011). The child feels more secure when surrounded by a crowd. In many cases, the abuser is close to the family, which is why the child does not reveal the atrocity he/she has endured. Victims believe they are to blame and are afraid to reveal it because they do not want to destroy the relationship the family has with the abuser (Louise, 2010).

The assault unfortunately damages the child’s life on the long term. They face major psychological effects such as PTSD, trauma and panic attacks (Louise, 2010). PTSD- posttraumatic stress disorder “a range of psychological stress symptoms a...

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Works Cited

Australian Psychological Association (2013). Understanding and managing psychological trauma. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/trauma/
Crandell, T.l. Crandell, C.H. &Vander Zanden, J.W (2012). Human development. New York, NY: Mc graw-hill
Dryden-Edwards,R. (n.d.) Panic attacks (panic disorder). MedicineNet. Retrieved from http://www.medicinenet.com/panic_disorder/article.htm
Louise (2010). Child rape: for survivors and interested others. Pandora’s Project. Retrieved from http://www.pandys.org/articles/childrape.html#common
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. (2013, July). Child Sexual Abuse-Introduction. Retrieved from http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/resourcesforprofessionals/sexualabuse/introduction_wda87834.html

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