The Psychological Damage of Sexual Trauma

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Recommended: Childhood sexual abuse and its effects on adulthood

Approximately 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today (Bull,2001). This figure continues to grow daily as perpetrators of this crime continue in this destructive path. To get a better understanding of what sexual trauma can do to a child the website all about counseling asked us to imagine “ a 6 year old being abused by a family member, say Uncle Joe. Uncle Joe has been very nice to the child up until the other day. He then steps across sexual boundaries, or even becomes physically hurtful to the child. The child may have a hard time holding onto that experience and still function as a young child, playing and enjoying life (www.allaboutcounseling.com). According to the website (www.allaboutcounseling.com) “Children often protect themselves by blocking/repressing or dissociating these kinds of memories. Because of this experience, a child may develop depression or other kinds of symptoms like isolating themselves, or acting out with anger. These symptoms can continue into adulthood. Unless the memory is confronted, the person may continue to act out, not knowing the cause for their It has been stated “that having a traumatic dissociation or childhood sexual amnesia is very common and real. The human mind responds in various ways to trauma. People who have studied trauma and traumatic events have known for a long time that there are several kinds of amnesia that affects us. When something is overwhelming emotionally, some people block it out, separating the event from the rest of their memories”(www.allaboutcounseling.com). For example, people that were in a car accident forget parts of what happened. The psychological conclusion says that the stress of the moment was so traumatic that the person c... ... middle of paper ... ...ma. Virginian Pilot, vol.1 Ode.K. (2010) . Sexual Trauma: Women Vet’s Secret War. Star Tribune, 11 Rayeesa.A. (2011). Gulf News: Trauma of sexual assailt could scar young victims for life.General Interet Periodicals—United Arab Emirates.vol1.120-132 Salter. A. (1995). Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Transforming trauma: a guide to understanding and treating adult survivors .192-246. Thousand Oaks. London. New Delhi Sebold.A. (1989). HERS; Speaking of the Unspeakable Retrieved March 12, 2011 from : http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE0DA113DF935A15751C0A96F948260#h[] Wonderlich, S., Crosby. R., Mitchell. J., & Thompson. K., (2001). Sexual trauma and personality: Developmental vulnerability and addictive effects. Journal of Personality Disorders,Vol 6, 496-504 Retrieved from www.allaboutcounseling.com getting all the help you need

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