Child Sexual Abuse Research Paper

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Child sexual abuse is a topic that has attracted must attention in the current years. Studies estimate that up to 33% of women and at least 20% of men are victims of child sexual abuse (Misurell & Springer, 2013). Sexual abuses excluding touch are often not reported. This suggests that the number of individuals who could be sexually abused in their childhood may even be greater. As a high percentage of individuals may have experienced child sexual abuse, there are high chances that most people pursuing therapy could record histories with sexual abuse. Evidently, counselors must be familiar and aware of the long-term effects and symptoms associated with child sexual abuse. This will help them in attaining a deeper understanding of the prerequisites of counseling. This study defines child sexual abuse, reviews the impact of child sexual abuse, and explores the long-term effects whilst identifying the appropriate treatments.

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse manifests in various forms. It could involve a violent action done by a stranger or a seduction act committed by a relative. It is hard to define child sexual abuse because it manifests in different forms, different frequency levels, and the circumstances in which it occurs tend to vary. Further, it is associated with different relationships. A couple of writers conquer on the following definition: child sexual abuse is any sexual act between an adult and a grown up, where the adult coerce or seduce the participation of the younger child. Besides the differing definitions of child sexual abuse, it is defined as a pervasive or a negative psychological effect on its victims (Emmelin, Hogan & Nystrom, 2011).

Most sexual abuse cases happen in childhood, with the most common form being incest. The effect of child sexual abuse differs from one case to another. Studies comparing women's experiences that underwent familial sexual abuse recorded heightened levels of anxiety and depression when thinking about the abuse. Additional factors they reported increasing distress levels were high numbers of experiences of sexual abuse, extensive sexual abuse and the first experience of sexual abuse at a younger age (Misurell, Springer & Tryon, 2011).

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While the severity and the nature of sexual abuse act might be serious, other variables may influence the magnitude of damage experienced by victims. Other variables might include the internal resources of an individual, the support level of an individual and the individual's perspective. Although some forms of child sexual abuse do not include touch, it is imperative for therapists to grasp that child sexual abuse could assume many different forms that would still sexually exploit the victim and cause more harm. Perpetrators might exploit children by assaulting them via internet, introducing them to pornography at a premature age, or coercing them to take pornographic photos (Brandon & Kerryann, 2011).

Child sexual abuse violates the basic human rights entitled to individuals. Children must enjoy sexual experiences at the most appropriate development period and within their choice and control. The dynamics and nature of sexually abusive relationships and sexual abuse tend to be traumatic. When a child experiences sexual abuse, it has high chances of hindering normal social development and causes numerous psychological problems. This leads to the need for the next section focusing on long-term effects of child sexual abuse.

Long-term Effects and Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is linked with high levels of guilt, depression, anxiety, denial, repression, eating disorders, self-blame, shame, somatic concerns, and denial problems. Researchers have found depression to be a common long-term symptom for most victims. Victims might have trouble in externalizing the sexual abuse hence, developing negative thoughts about themselves (Brandon & Kerryann, 2011). After years of a series of negative self-thoughts, victims develop feelings of lack of self-worth and isolate themselves from others. Studies have illuminated child sexual abuse victim's depression to having suicidal ideation, feeling down most times, having disturbed patterns of eating, disturbed sleeping patterns, experiencing self-blame, guilt and shame.

Studies demonstrate that victims….....

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