Sexuality

Sexuality is defined in many ways, for the sake of this papers clarity sexuality will be defined as, sexual feelings and interactions that are defining features of romantic intimacy. (Fering 2009) Child sexual abuse (CSA) is defined in the International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences as "any [sexual] action that is inflicted upon or must be tolerated by a child against their own will or any [sexual] action about which the child cannot make a decision due to their physical, emotional, mental, and verbal inferiority." Statistics for the prevalence of CSA range from anywhere from 15 to 25 percent of women to 5 to 10 percent of men according to Deegener. (2002)

However, these percentages are based on retrospective studies and are founded on reports from victims that disclose their abuse. The book “Stolen Tomorrows” by Steven Levenkron states, "The National Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center reports that only 16 percent of adolescent and adult rapes are brought to light. The reports of childhood, toddler and even infant sexual assault are of course much lower..." the consequences that follow the victims of CSA for the rest of their lives are usually so severe that even if only five percent of the population reported abuse it would still be a relevant issue. Childhood sexual abuse affects the development of sexuality, creates problems in developing intimacy and leads to many mood and anxiety disorders that follow victims for the rest of their lives.

When a child is forced or coerced into sexual relations, not only is their present, their childhood, taken from them but their future is also affected. The effects of CSA are varied and depend on the age at onset of abuse, use of physical force, level ...

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...l self-esteem." (Noll 2003 pg. 138)

CSA has very adverse impacts on devolving healthy intimate romantic relationships. Some victims of CSA decide to abstain from sexual activity altogether (Noll 2003) or feel a low sexual drive or feel guilt when aroused (Levenkron 2007) “CSA survivors have more difficulties in their adult relationships, reporting insecure attachment, lower levels of sexual and relationship satisfaction, and more marital dissolution. Two cases in “Stolen Tomorrows” of this are Gina and Olivia. Olivia’s marriage suffered, and ended in divorce, because of her total disinterest in sex. She had no sexual desire at all and lacked the ability to be aroused, which was a result of the sexual abuse her father had put her through. In order to cope with the abuse she developed a “mental novocain” that disconnected her from feeling anything “down there”.