| Child sexual abuse
has been reported up to 80,000 times a year,
but the number of unreported instances is far
greater, because the children are afraid to
tell anyone what has happened, and the legal
procedure for validating an episode is difficult.
The problem should be identified, the abuse
stopped, and the child should receive professional
help. The long-term emotional and psychological
damage of sexual abuse can be devastating to
the child.
Child sexual abuse can take place within the
family, by a parent, step-parent, sibling or
other relative; or outside the home, for example,
by a friend, neighbor, child care person, teacher,
or stranger. When sexual abuse has occurred,
a child can develop a variety of distressing
feelings, thoughts and behaviors.
No child is psychologically prepared to cope
with repeated sexual stimulation. Even a two
or three year old, who cannot know the sexual
activity is wrong, will develop problems resulting
from the inability to cope with the overstimulation.
The child of five or older who knows and cares
for the abuser becomes trapped between affection
or loyalty for the person, and the sense that
the sexual activities are terribly wrong. If
the child tries to break away from the sexual
relationship, the abuser may threaten the child
with violence or loss of love. When sexual abuse
occurs within the family, the child may fear
the anger, jealousy or shame of other family
members, or be afraid the family will break
up if the secret is told.
A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual
abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling
of worthlessness and an abnormal or distorted
view of sex. The child may become withdrawn
and mistrustful of adults, and can become suicidal.
Some children who have been sexually abused
have difficulty relating to others except on
sexual terms. Some sexually abused children
become child abusers or prostitutes, or have
other serious problems when they reach adulthood.
Often there are no obvious physical signs of
child sexual abuse. Some signs can only be detected
on physical exam by a physician.
Sexually abused children may develop the following:
- unusual interest in or avoidance of all
things of a sexual nature
- sleep problems or nightmares
- depression or withdrawal from friends
or family
- seductiveness
- statements that their bodies are dirty
or damaged, or fear that there is something
wrong with them in the genital area
- refusal to go to school
- delinquency/conduct problems
- secretiveness
- aspects of sexual molestation in drawings,
games, fantasies
- unusual aggressiveness, or
- suicidal behavior
Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely
fearful of telling, and only when a special
effort has helped the child to feel safe, can
the child talk freely. If a child says that
he or she has been molested, parents should
try to remain calm and reassure the child that
what happened was not their fault. Parents should
seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation.
Parents can prevent or lessen the chance of
sexual abuse by:
- Telling children that if someone tries
to touch your body and do things that make
you feel funny, say NO to that person and
tell me right away
- Teaching children that respect does not
mean blind obedience to adults and to authority,
for example, don't tell children to, Always
do everything the teacher or baby-sitter
tells you to do
- Encouraging professional prevention programs
in the local school system
Sexually abused children and their families
need immediate professional evaluation and treatment.
Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help
abused children regain a sense of self-esteem,
cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse,
and begin the process of overcoming the trauma.
Such treatment can help reduce the risk that
the child will develop serious problems as an
adult.
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