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Impact of sexual abuse in childhood on adulthood
Essays on long term effects of childhood sex abuse
Impact of sexual abuse in childhood on adulthood
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Children have resilience unlike any other group of people. They have the ability to heal quicker than someone does that has a better understanding of what it is to heal. Yet, when a child is sexual abused, something happens to that resilience. It isn’t as easy to pull through. That healing doesn’t come as easy and the damage that is caused by sexual abuse to a child is long-term. Effects of childhood sexual abuse are extensive. This extensive damage can lead to a number of different outlets. These outlets tend to be destructive.
Some researchers suggest that a history of CSA is associated with a host of interpersonal and psychological difficulties, such as depression, suicidal ideation, low self-esteem, and sexual promiscuity. Others argue that the traumatic impact of CSA has been overstated. (Zafar S., 2013). There is no way to overstate childhood sexual abuse. Many do not heal without years of therapy from a traumatic experience.
According to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, an estimated 777,200 children were determined to be victims of abuse or neglect by a protective service agency in the United States in 2008, and 9.1% of these children were determined to have been sexually abused (Draucker, 2011). Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent problem in the United States that is associated with many long term psychological, behavioral, social and physical effects on men and women (Draucker, 2011). These effects can make a person’s life a living hell. They turn someone into a person that they may not have been if the tragic event didn’t happen to them.
Gender also plays a larger part in the effects of childhood sexual abuse. Boys are a bit more resilient to sexual abuse then girl. Yet, this stems from boy...
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...early teen pregnancy and STIs.
Works Cited
Draucker, C. M. (2011). Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Theoretical Model. Journal Of Child Sexual Abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 435-466.
Draucker, C. M. (2013). Relationships between childhood sexual abuse and substance use and sexual risk behaviors during adolescence: An integrative review. Nursing Outlook, 291-310.
Dube. S. R, M. J. (2005). Adverse childhood experiences and the association with ever using. Journal of Adolescent Health.
Shin S. H., H. H. (2010). Childhood sexual abuse and adolescent substance use: A latent class analysis. Durg and Alchol Dependence , 226-235.
Zafar S., R. E. (2013). Perceptions of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors: Development and Initial Validation of a New Scale to Measure Stereotypes of Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 358-378.
Walker, Monique D., Ana M. Hernandez, and Maureen Davey. "Childhood Sexual Abuse And Adult Sexual Identity Formation: Intersection Of Gender, Race, And Sexual Orientation." American Journal Of Family Therapy 40.5 (2012): 385-398. Academic Search Premier. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.
Obviously, working with survivors of child sexual abuse, neglect, and trauma: The approach taken by the social worker in the Brandon’s case shall begin with “assessment and beginning treatment of the family because child abuse is one of a wide range practice situation in which systems concepts can be applied to help to understand the dynamics involved” in the road for healing and recovery from the physical and psychological effect of the trauma by providing adequate resources available for counseling and therapy due to the devastating impacts of child sexual abuse can be heartbreaking for the victim and the family. However, social worker approach to understanding and responds efficiently by being empathetic to the complex situation as a result; the perpetrator is the father such as in the case of Brandon (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014).
Finkelhor, D., Hotaling, G., Lewis, I., & Smith, C. (1990). Sexual abuse in a national survey of
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.
Based on an article by the National Alert Registry by Dr. Herbert Wagemaker, four percent of the population suffers from sexual orientation toward children. In 1999, 93,000 kids were sexually abused. 50% of the abusers were parents of th...
Through the assessment of data, examiners reached a general conclusion regarding the permanent somatic and emotional effects of CSA. According to Irish et al. (2009), it was proved that victims of sexual assault undergo extreme depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and terror outbreaks. Likewise, the investigation indicated that these persons exhibited a conversion of their psychological trauma into somatic signs since they developed drastic health issues such as body aching, obesity, gastric complications, and heart and lung illnesses; as a result, victims of child sexual abuse usually get sick more often during middle and old age than other individuals.
Sexual abuse cannot be clearly defined with ease. In fact, sexual abuse is an umbrella term for any sort of situation, whether or not it involves physical contact, in which a sexually immature child is exposed to anything sexual in nature. Because no child is psychologically mature enough for sexual stimulation, the complex feelings associated with it are mentally and emotionally disfiguring. Children who have been sexually abused experience an array of negative emotions such as shame, guilt and anger, and may display oddly withdrawn or distrustful behaviors. They cannot help but feel that they somehow brought the abuse unto themselves (Saisan, et al). One major contributing factor to these severe psychological consequences is the concept of trust. Sexual abuse is, in most cases, committed by a parent or other trusted adult figure. While children are naïve on such adult topics, they can still get an overwhelming feeling that the attention is wrong, yet they are unsure of how to cope with it. If the child has an emotional atta...
Saewyc, Elizabeth M., Lara Leanne Magee, and Sandra E. Pettingell. “Teenage Pregnancy and Associated Risk Behaviors among Sexually Abused Adolescents.” Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health. 36.3 (2004): 98-105. ProQuest. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
Many researchers link behavioral problems in adulthood to childhood abuse. One researcher says that "An adult who was sexually abused as a child has a greater chance of becoming violent, suicidal, and abusive to their children than an adult who was not abused sexually as a child" (Kliest 155). These characteristics could hinder a victim from living a normal lifestyle and having a family. Kliest also states, "Adults who were abused sexually as children will have a greater chance than those who were not of experiencing sexual dysfunction, such as flashbacks, difficulty in arousal, and phobic reactions to sexual intimacy" (156). Many researchers agree that childhood sexual abuse has a negative effect on an adult's personal relationships. Another researcher states, "A history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) appears to have an adverse impact on the quality of adult intimate relationships, and they report avoiding the development of close adult relationships because of their fear of rejection" (Whiffen 1103).
There are several domains that must be considered when treating a survivor of child abuse: the need for safety and trust, sense of belonging, protection from perceived or actual threats, facing the defendant in court, prevention of revictimization, and empowerment (Sawyer & Judd, 2012). Davis, 2005, states that “children terrorized through sexual abuse, neglect, physical abuse, or wartime atrocities may suffer from lasting wounds, nightmares, depression, and troubled adolescence involving substance abuse, binge eating, or aggression.” Victims of child abuse need to regain their sense of control over their lives. Experiencing healthy relationships, being nurtured by adults and helping them to learn resilience are all interventions that have been well-documented (Sawyer & Judd, 2...
A strong incidence of long-term psychological problems exists for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. George (1996) found that adults who had experienced childhood sexual abuse were twice as likely to suffer from mental health disorder when compared to their counterparts who were nor abuse.
Researchers have concluded that, “Substance abuse in females is highly correlated with early childhood sexual victimizations” (Textbook 74). This correlation supports the notion that if the community does not give the emotional and physical support the victim needs, the chances of them using marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, inhalants, heroin, and prescription drugs is extremely likely to happen. In the
The effects of child abuse are multiple. The pain and trauma the abused child goes through is just a small part of how this cauldron of hidden depravity in our society affects all of us. Wrecked lives can be seen in persons of all ages and in all walks of life. Society as a whole is also effected by child abuse both in negative and positive ways. In this essay I will present some of the factor and results of this violent behavior on individuals as well as our culture.
It is most important to understand that children and teens of all racial, religious, ethnic, gender and age groups, at all socio-economic levels are sexually abused. Although there are risk factors that may increase the possibility of sexual abuse, sex abuse can be found in all types of families, communities, and cultures (The Scope of, 2016). Childhood sexual abuse is an important issue to address because the impact of sexual does not end when the abuse ends. Childhood trauma follows into adulthood and can have long-range effects. “Survivors of sexual abuse are at significantly greater risks for severe and chronic mental health issues, including alcoholism, depression, anxiety, PTSD and high risk behaviors” (The Scope Of, 2016). Victims may experience traumatic sexualization, or the shaping of their sexuality in “developmentally inappropriate” and “interpersonally dysfunctional” ways (Effects of Child, 2012). “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” (Effects of Child, 2012). Overall, the effects and impact of childhood sexual abuse are long lasting and do not diminish when the abuse ends, their childhood trauma follows them into
About 13% of high school seniors use cocaine according to the national clearing house of alcohol and drug.(Alcohol Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults, Michael Windle, Ph.D. This research was supported by grant R37–AA–07861 ) Sexual experimentation in early adolescence often begins with fantasy and masturbation. Estimates vary, but about 50% of 9th to 12th grade students reported having had sexual intercourse. Adolescence younger than age 18 years account for 20% of arrests for sexual offences. (Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, CDC Centers for Disease