| 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may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults,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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