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Childhood sexual abuse and its effects on adulthood
Repercussions of child abuse
What are the effects of child sexual abuse
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An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today (Darness2Light, 2009a ). This figure continues to grow daily as perpetrators of this crime continue in this destructive path. The definition of child sexual abuse is the force, coercion, or cajoling of children into sexual activities by a dominant adult or adolescent. Sexual abuse of children includes touching (physical) sexually including: fondling; penetration (vaginal or anal using fingers, foreign objects or offenders organs; oral sex, or non-physical contact including: sexual comments; indecent exposures; masturbating in a child’s presence; child prostitution or child pornography (Child Welfare, 2009a). However, these sexual acts can occur in a variety of ways that not only involve the most popular (one victim and one perpetrator), but also includes group sex - one victim and several abusers, or vice-versa; sex rings – usually organized by pedophiles; ritual abuse – some involve a version of Satanism that supports sex with children (Child Welfare, 2009b). Because of their vulnerability, children are very easy preys for sexual predators. Children are taught to be respectful and trusting especially of adults, and are powerless, and confused when these abuses occur. Parents and caregivers are even sometimes unaware of these dangers to children. Darkness2Light (2009b) states: “Even with the walls of their own homes, children are at risk for Sexual abuse – 30-40% of victims are abused by a family member; another 50% by someone outside the home whom they know and trust; 40% are abused by older and larger children whom they know, therefore; only 10% are abused by strangers.” Men ar... ... middle of paper ... ... the victims’ lives. But if discovered in time, or if discovered at all, these victims may with the help of therapists, and a strong support base from family members be able to live their lives in a meaningful way. Victims’ families will also experience trauma resulting from the abuse and they will need therapy, and the knowledge on how to support victims. Because CPSA are so complex, the offenders need to be treated by therapists specifically trained to work with offenders and their families. Unless offenders receive long- term treatment, they likely will continue to molest children (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 2009c). The effects of CPSA also carry severe consequences for society as well because the expenditure of support, health and housing services, the penal system, resulting criminal, and the breakdown of the family structures affects everyone.
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 importance of growing up in today’s society and being educated about sexual abuse is an important aspect of knowledge everyone should have. Many parents also do not recognize the warning signs from their children early on to prevent them from turning into something bigger.
Child abuse is a serious issue in today's society. Many people have been victims of child abuse. There are three forms of child abuse: physical, emotional, and sexual. Many researchers believe that sexual abuse is the most detremental of the three. A middle-aged adult who is feeling depressed will probably not relate it back to his childhood, but maybe he should. The short-term effects of childhood sexual abuse have been proven valid, but now the question is, do the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse affect middle-aged adults? Many contradicting views arise from the subject of childhood sexual abuse. Researchers and psychologists argue on this issue. Childhood sexual abuse has the potential to damage a child physically, emotionally, and behaviorally for the rest of his or her childhood, and the effects have been connected to lasting into middle-aged adulthood.
Sexuality is defined in many ways, for the sake of this papers clarity sexuality will be defined as, sexual feelings and interactions that are defining features of romantic intimacy. (Fering 2009) Child sexual abuse (CSA) is defined in the International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences as "any [sexual] action that is inflicted upon or must be tolerated by a child against their own will or any [sexual] action about which the child cannot make a decision due to their physical, emotional, mental, and verbal inferiority." Statistics for the prevalence of CSA range from anywhere from 15 to 25 percent of women to 5 to 10 percent of men according to Deegener. (2002)
One form of infringement upon an individual’s natural rights is sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is an unfortunate reality in our society, and can be considered the ultimate form of torture, as there are several layers of physical, mental, and emotional damage. Sexual abuse can be defined as unwanted sexual contact in a situation involving at least two parties consisting of the victim and the offender. Some types of sexual abuse include unwanted light contact, such as kissing or touching; threatening or pressuring a person into sexual activity; molestation, regardless of child or adult; and violent sexual activity or rape (“What is Sexual Abuse”). There is prominent data supporting the prevalence of sexual abuse in the U.S, along with media attention of later confessions of both victims and perpetrators shows that the iss...
Within the last few decades there has been an increase in public awareness concerning child sexual abuse. Child abuse is defined as intentional acts that result in physical or emotional harming. However most people don’t understand that there are different forms a child abuse; they include physical, neglect, and sexual abuse. Child abuse is widespread, one that most topics people would rather not think about. For the longest time individuals have been in denial because it’s easier when everyone believes that they live in a perfect world.
Childhood sexual abuse, as defined by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA, 1996), includes using persuasion, enticement, and other inducements to coerce a child to engage in sexually explicit conduct or simulation of sexual acts. Survivors of sexual abuse frequently have a legacy of both psychological and physical problem throughout life. There has been considerable literature published in the past 20 years focusing on the long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse.
"Understanding Child Sexual Abuse: Education, Prevention and Recovery." Http://www.apa.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
This paper outlines the consequences of child sexual abuse (CSA) based on the examination of results from multiple researches previously fulfilled concerning the psychological and physical impact of this crime, information of statistics, warning signs detected, victims’ performances, and emotional state. Sexual abuse causes severe trauma on child victims that will last for the course of their lives, therefore it is critical to identify and improve the therapeutic methods utilized to treat CSA survivors.
Zieve, David, Juhn, Greg, and Eltz, David R. "Child Abuse-Sexual." New York Times. N.p., 13 Oct. 2008. Web. 12 Jan. 2014.
Adolescents and children are capable of committing serious sex offenses in spite of their immaturity. Sexually abusive behavior includes but is not limited to non-conta...
They victimize the child every time they view the material, share it, or get self gratification. The active pedophile is every parent and child’s worst nightmare. These pedophiles are the ones who are molesting children, raping them, taking images and pictures and sharing them. They create the pornography (Knetzger, 2008). They steal the innocence of the children.
The thought of sexually abusing a child or pursuing the act is despicable. What could an adult possibly find compelling about molesting a child? Just the thought of this scenario is absurd. In a study aimed to reveal whether child molesters held distorted beliefs (or cognitive distortions) that support their sexual offending, 38 child molesters were asked to read a description of child molestation (Gannon, Wright, & Williams, 2006). In return several child molesters proclaimed statements such as, “I’m not really sure why she told, it wasn’t because she didn’t like it. I mean she did as much as I did at the end of the day.” Particularly, this statement was made by a child molester convicted of sexual assault against a 13 year-old girl (Gannon, Wright, & Williams, 2006). Overall, the findings of this study revealed that sex offenders possess beliefs that children are sexual beings who enjoy, and even seek out, sexual relations with adults (Gannon, Wright, & Williams, 2006). In addition, child molesters also expressed the belief that sexual behavior, by itself, is rarely harmful, even if the recipient is a child (Gannon, Wright, & Williams,
Nowadays Society seems to have a problem dealing with child sexual abuse. It seems to appear almost daily and sorrowful is it often happens with incest. In order that children and adolescents, regardless of their race, culture, or economic status, appear to be at approximately equal risk for sexual victimization. Moreover child sexual abuse becomes an issue that makes people extremely uncomfortable, because it hurts to think about anyone harming children. However, unreported or untreated child sexual abuse not only scars children and destroys families, such as teen pregnancy is a long-term, expensive societal problem. Child sexual abuse is a major factor in teenage pregnancy rates. It also leaves offenders free to abuse and cripple future generations.
More importantly, “60 percent of children who are sexually abused do not disclose and most are acquaintances but as many as 47 percent are family or extended family” (The Scope of, 2016). The prevalence of child sexual abuse is difficult to determine because it is often not reported; experts agree that the incidence is far greater than what is reported to authorities (Child Sexual Abuse, 2012). Startling statistics represent the depth of the issue. Globally, prevalence rates show that a range of 7-36% of women and 3-29% of men experience sexual abuse in childhood (The Scope of, 2016). “The U.S Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau report child maltreatment 2010 found that 9.2% of victimized children were sexually assaulted” (Child Sexual Abuse,