This paper is about how to deal with or counsel children who have been sexually abused, and the long term effects from sexual abuse that children may develop from this kind of abuse. This paper will consist of a counseling model that is sufficient, effective, and necessary when dealing with children who have been sexually abused. In this paper, gender is targeted most in sexual abuse, and why most children are unaware of sexual abuse coming. Also, being discussed is the different types of sexual abuse children can endure and why their abusers might choose them. Children who experience any sexual act of abuse needs to be involved in a sufficient therapy to confront and overcome their traumatic event and effects of sexual abuse.
Unfortunately, many children do not talk about the abuse, so parents and guardians need to be aware of the warning signs that sexual abuse is possibly occurring. Signs of Sexual Abuse Children exhibit characteristic behaviors when they are victims of sexual abuse. Parents and guardians can intervene early if the behaviors are recognized and the perpetrator is stopped. Symptoms vary based on the age of the child with a set of similar symptoms occurring in younger children (10 and younger), another set in older children (over 10), and a few behaviors seen in both groups. Younger Children When younger children are sexually abused, they tend to e... ... middle of paper ... ...ma, so parents, guardians, and professions must proceed with caution.
It is difficult to find a lot of information about reported cases of child sexual abuse because most remain unreported. I chose to research child sexual abuse because I feel very strongly and passionate about the safety and well being of children, as well as how their lives are affected after experiencing traumatic events. I will be discussing statistical information about child sexual abuse, the characteristics of perpetrators, risk factors of child sexual abuse, short-term effects of the abuse, the effect of child sexual abuse in later family life and lastly about effective programs designed to help victims of child abuse and their families. Definition It can be really difficult to talk about sexual abuse and even harder to acknowledge that sexual abuse of children happens every day. It is important to inform people of what it contains so they can be more aware of it.
25 percent of abused teens find it hard to engage in healthy relationships in future, but will be more likely to insist on practicing safe sex. Basically, the short-term effects of child abuse are wide-ranging. Intervention methods for child sex abuse There are two broad intervention methods for child sexual abuse: cognitive-behavioral interventions, and behavioral interventions and counseling. As part of the overall intervention, these intervention methods are usually administered by a multidisciplinary team. As a parent, you need to protect your child, support him/her if abused, reports cases of child abuse, and teach others about child abuse.
Though the cause and effect of child abuse can vary, it is a common problem within families. Today countless stories are documented of kids being abused by loved ones, in government programs, by caregivers and in other places deemed safe for children. However, because child abuse is a reoccurring factor in the history of America, the government is currently passing laws that enforce stricter punishment to individuals that cause maltreatment. To predict if a child will be abused is impossible to tell, however there are studies that have compiled a composite of families in which child abuse can potentially occur. According to a maltreatment fact sheet maintained by the CDC, families at risk are those with a disabled child, domestic violence, family economic disadvantages, substance abuse, parents young in age, mental health conditions, or a violent environment.
The caretakers’ response to a child 's disclosure of sexual abuse is important. Asking about caretakers’ emotional state and support systems can be helpful in optimizing services for the family. Significant concerns for child safety are raised when a caretaker is openly disbelieving of a child 's disclosure and when a caretaker allows further contact between a child and the suspected perpetrator of abuse. (p. 21) Kristi House provides case coordination services to mothers who are on need of shelter, food, relocation assistant or looking for a job. Moreover, there is a need of psychoeducation on sexual abuse in the community.
Over 158 million children are being exploited a... ... middle of paper ... ...tions: The solution to help limit or end child maltreatment is mainly to raise awareness on how serious this issue is to those who do not understand the extremity of harm the victim is under. Child maltreatment whether sexual, physical or through neglect effects the victims for the rest of their lives. Many people who were abused at a young age become abusers themselves later on, which creates a cycle of abuse and suffering. Laws that protect children against maltreatment should exist globally, and harsh consequences for those who break the laws. There should also be centres where abused children can be helped, providing shelter and medical help for those injured.
Reunification with a parent is the most common goal that is set forth by Child Protective Services even though recurrent abuse is likely to happen based upon the prior type of abuse and the age of the child (Connell et al., 2009). Child maltreatment is becoming a prevalent problem that has numerous consequences for both the child and family. The Center of Disease Control and prevention defines child abuse as any act or series of events that results in harm, potential harm or threatens the child’s safety (Webb, 2007). While many people believe that child maltreatment is simply physical many other forms of maltreatment occur; sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment are also common forms of abuse. Domestic Violence is also included in the definition of child maltre... ... middle of paper ... ...l parents as soon as the home is safe again.
The behaviors of child abuse can happen in both boys and girls leaving them with severe lifetime symptoms. Treatment is often necessary for them to overcome the actions done to them, but it is not always successful in curing the mutilation. However, the existence of one sign of child maltreatment does not mean child abuse is occurring within a home. Even with proper education, therapy, and validation one has the probability to become an abuser himself/herself. As of 2010, The Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) defines child abuse as: “Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm.” Abuse can also be referred to as any damage that has been done to a child that cannot be realistically explained with proper representation.
2011). Children that are a part of a family where violence and sexual abuse is exhibited often will pass this behavior onto their offspring; this comes out of bad habits and example of violence and sexual abuse. Considering this is something the child is exposed to often, would seem reasonable to expect it will continue on when consistently expose to this type of behavior. This will be something the children would endure until an intervention happens. In having an intervention it would have to focus on teaching the children that the violence they have been exposed to where not healthy for them and the type of life style they would wish to have in the future.