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sexual abuse includes a wide range of sexual behaviors
that take place between a child and an older person.
These sexual behaviors are intended to erotically
arouse the older person, generally without consideration
for the reactions or choices of the child and without
consideration for the effects of the behavior upon
the child. Behaviors that are sexually abusive often
involve bodily contact, such as in the case of sexual
kissing, touching, fondling of genitals, and oral,
anal, or vaginal intercourse. However, behaviors
may be sexually abusive even if they don't involve
contact, such as in the case of genital exposure
("flashing"), verbal pressure for sex,
and sexual exploitation for purposes of prostitution
or pornography.
Who are the perpetrators of child sexual
abuse?
Legal definitions of what constitutes child sexual
abuse usually require that the perpetrator be older
than the victim. For example, in some states perpetrators
must be at least five years older than their victims
for the behavior to be considered child sexual abuse.
Most often, sexual abusers know the child they
abuse but are not relatives. In fact, about 60%
of perpetrators are nonrelative acquaintances, such
as a friend of the family, babysitter, or neighbor.
About 30% of those who sexually abuse children
are relatives of the child, such as fathers, uncles,
or cousins.
Strangers are perpetrators in about 10% of child
sexual abuse cases.
Men are found to be perpetrators in most cases,
regardless of whether the victim is a boy or a girl.
However, women are found to be perpetrators in about
14% of cases reported against boys and about 6%
of cases reported against girls.
Child pornographers and other perpetrators who
are strangers now also make contact with children
using the Internet.
How does one know if a child has been sexually
abused?
Researchers estimate that, in our country, about
10% of boys and 25% of girls are sexually abused.
Unfortunately, there are often no obvious signs
that a child has been sexually abused. Because sexual
abuse often occurs in private, and because it often
does not result in physical evidence, child sexual
abuse can be difficult to detect.
There is not a "child sexual abuse syndrome,"
or any symptom that a majority of sexually abused
children exhibit.
What are some symptoms sexually abused
children exhibit?
Some children may show symptoms of PTSD, including
agitated behavior, frightening dreams, and repetitive
play in which aspects of the abuse are expressed.
Because of their sexual abuse, children may show
sexual behavior or seductiveness that is inappropriate
for their age.
As a result of abuse, children, especially boys,
tend to "act out" with behavior problems,
such as cruelty to others and running away.
Other children "act in" by becoming depressed
or by withdrawing from friends or family.
Sometimes children may try to injure themselves
or attempt suicide.
What can parents and caretakers do to help
keep children safe?
Talk to your children about the difference between
good touch and bad touch. Tell the child that if
someone tries to touch his or her body and do things
that make the child feel uncomfortable, he or she
should say NO to the person and tell you about it
right away.
Let children know that they have the right to forbid
others to touch their bodies in a bad way. Let them
know that respect does not always mean doing what
those in authority tell them to do. Do not tell
them to do EVERYTHING the babysitter or group leader
tells them to do.
Alert your children that perpetrators may use the
Internet, and monitor your children's access to
online websites.
Most importantly, provide a safe, caring environment
so children feel able to talk freely about sexual
abuse.
What should parents and caretakers do if
they suspect abuse?
If a child says she or he has been abused, try to
remain calm.
Reassure the child that what has happened is not
his or her fault.
Seek a medical examination and psychological consultation
immediately.
Know that children can recover from sexual abuse,
particularly if they have the support of a caring,
available parent.
Get help yourself. It is often very painful to
acknowledge that your child has been sexually exploited.
Parents can harm children further if they inappropriately
minimize the abuse or if they harbor irrational
fears related to the abuse. Therapy can help caretakers
deal with their own feelings about the abuse so
that they are able to provide support to their children.
What are the possible long-term effects
of child sexual abuse?
If child sexual abuse is not effectively treated,
long-term symptoms may persist into adulthood. These
may include:
PTSD and/or anxiety
Depression and thoughts of suicide
Sexual anxiety and disorders
Poor body image and low self-esteem
The use of unhealthy behaviors, such as alcohol
abuse, drug abuse, self-mutilation, or bingeing
and purging, to help mask painful emotions related
to the abuse
If you were abused as a child and suffer from any
of these symptoms, it may help you to get help from
a mental-health professional who has expertise in
working with people who have been sexually abused.
Recommended Books That Address Child Sexual
Abuse
Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was
Sexually Abused As a Child, a Support Book by Laura
Davis. (1991). Harperperennial Library; ISBN 0060968834
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors
of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis.
(1994). Harperperennial Library; ISBN 0060950668
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence
from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror by Judith
Herman. (1997). Basic Books; ISBN 0465087302.
Shattered Assumptions: Toward a New Psychology
of Trauma by Ronnie Janoff-Bulman. (1992). The Free
Press; ISBN 0029160154
Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and
Other Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew, Foreword by
Ellen Bass. (1990). HarperCollins; ISBN 0060973005
Wounded Boys Heroic Men: A Man's Guide to Recovering
from Child Abuse by Danial Jay Sonkin and Lenore
E. A. Walker. (1998). Adams Media Corporations;
ISBN 1580620108
References
Ackerman, P. T., Newton, J. E.O., McPherson, W.
B., Jones, J. G., & Dykman, R. A. (1998). Prevalence
of post traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric
diagnoses in three groups of abused children (sexual,
physical, and both). Child Abuse & Neglect,
22, 759-774.
Boney-McCoy, S. & Finkelhor, D. (1996). Is
youth victimization related to trauma symptoms and
depression after controlling for prior symptoms
and family relationships? A longitudinal, prospective
study. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,
64, 1406-1416.
Collings, S. J. (1995). The long-term effects of
contact and noncontact forms of child sexual abuse
in a sample of university men. Child Abuse and Neglect,
19, 1-6.
Jumper, S. (1995). A meta-analysis of the relationship
of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment.
Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 715-728.
Kendall-Tackett, K. A., Williams, L. M., &
Finkelhor, D. (1993). Impact of sexual abuse on
children: A review and synthesis of recent empirical
studies. Psychological Bulletin, 113, 164-180.
Neumann, D. A., Houskamp, B. M., Pollock, V. E.,
& Briere, J. (1996). The long-term sequelae
of childhood sexual abuse in women: A meta-analytic
review. Child Maltreatment, 1, 6-16.
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