“THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL ABUSE ON CHILDREN

“The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Children

“The Impact of Sexual Abuse on Children

Introduction

Sexual child abuse is reoccurring sexual and/or physical abuse that follows a particular pattern. The victims of child sexual and physical abuse come from every culture, and their repeated abuse can cause long-term mental health and substance abuse problems. For victims of sexual and physical abuse, the cycle of violence is extremely similar. While our society has recently begun to discuss this type of crime in a more open and educated manner, this victimization continues to occur on a regular basis.

The criminal code of every state in the United States has a definition for child abuse. These definitions vary from state to state, but their essence is the same. Those individuals, adults or juveniles, who exert power and control over children for the purpose of sexual gratification, physical abuse, or emotional abuse, are in violation of state law.

•Sexual child abuse is defined as any intentional touching of the victim's breasts, buttocks, anus, vagina, or the penis for sexual gratification and is illegal.

•Physical child abuse is defined differently by different states. Some require there to have been a substantial child abuse before convicting an individual of physical abuse. In other states, very little abuse is necessary for an individual to receive a felony conviction. This entry defines physical abuse as any abuse where a mark is left on the child victim that was not the result of an accident or corporal punishment (which is still legal in many states).

Discussion

Children who suffer sexual abuse will display a number of indications and behaviors that can run on a variety from a few symptoms to engaging in prostitution or become sexually voracious towards others. The manners of the children who go through this sort of abuse depends on the severity of the actions done against them, the connection with the abuser, the intensity and the frequency, as well as the moral support from the family members after knowing the real facts. (Wolfe, 2006)

Common indications consist of depression, substance abuse, stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and self- destructive behavior such as committing suicide or engaging in prostitution.

The children who suffer sexual abuse feel shame, embarrassment and guilt,. In tremendous cases of frequent, lengthened sexual abuse, dissociation occurs as sufferers experience a sense of despair and defenselessness. When dissociating, the child copes by detaching from the self and the act that is being committed. A loss of identity and memory difficulties can result. These victims, because of their exposure to manipulated sex, become sexualized and will display overt sexually provocative behaviors, abnormal preoccupation with sex, and a lack of inhibition toward sexual acts or sexual conversation. Child abuse sufferers are at a superior danger for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy, and prostitution. They will have continuous obscurity engaging in regular cherished and sexually worthwhile relations in adulthood. (Pritchard, 2004)

Sexual abuse occurs when a person uses power over a child and involves the child in any sexual ...