Memoir Of Anorexia And Bulimia, By Marya Hornbacher

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is loosely defined as a range of sexual contact or behavior that occurs between a child and an older person. There are multiple forms of child sexual abuse, including but not limited to rape, molestation, sexual assault, exposure, voyeurism, and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in the sex industry. Under the law in most jurisdictions, the abuser must be older than the victim with some states requiring the abuser to be at least five years older.

In New York City, The Administration for Children’s Services (2016), describes child sex abuse:

Child sexual abuse includes incest, rape, obscene sexual performance, fondling a child’s genitals, intercourse, sodomy, and any other contact such as exposing a child

There really is no definitive evidence in the writing that indicates that Marya was a victim of child sex abuse. Marya definitely suffered child abuse; however, not of a sexual variety. Marya’s parents were very neglectful when she was a young child, letting her stay up all night, avoiding teaching her about her body changes during puberty, and not giving her any attention to the point that she was writing letters to her mom that was being ignored. This neglect and disassociation from parenting led to her develop such extreme disorders. We are defined by our childhood and that either makes us or breaks

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Hornbacher, M. (2007). Wasted: A memoir of anorexia and Bulimia. United States: HarperCollins