Child sexual abuse includes a wide range of sexual behaviors
that take place between a child and an older person. These sexual
behaviors are intended to erotically arouse the older person,
generally without consideration for the reactions or choices of the
child and without consideration for the effects of the behavior
upon the child. Behaviors that are sexually abusive often involve
bodily contact, such as in the case of sexual kissing, touching,
fondling of genitals, and oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse.
However, behaviors may be sexually abusive even if they don't
involve contact, such as in the case of genital exposure
("flashing"), verbal pressure for sex, and sexual exploitation for
purposes of prostitution or pornography.
Who are the perpetrators of child sexual abuse?
Legal definitions of what constitutes child sexual abuse usually
require that the perpetrator be older than the victim. For example,
in some states perpetrators must be at least five years older than
their victims for the behavior to be considered child sexual
abuse.
Most often, sexual abusers know the child they abuse but are not
relatives. In fact, about 60% of perpetrators are nonrelative
acquaintances, such as a friend of the family, babysitter, or
neighbor.
About 30% of those who sexually abuse children are relatives of
the child, such as fathers, uncles, or cousins.
Strangers are perpetrators in about 10% of child sexual abuse
cases.
Men are found to be perpetrators in most cases, regardless of
whether the victim is a boy or a girl. However, women are found to
be perpetrators in about 14% of cases reported against boys and
about 6% of cases reported against girls.
Child pornographers and other perpetrators who are strangers now
also make contact with children using the Internet.
How does one know if a child has been sexually abused?
Researchers estimate that, in our country, about 10% of boys and
25% of girls are sexually abused.
Unfortunately, there are often no obvious signs that a child has
been sexually abused. Because sexual abuse often occurs in private,
and because it often does not result in physical evidence, child
sexual abuse can be difficult to detect.
There is not a "child sexual abuse syndrome," or any symptom
that a majority of sexually abused children exhibit.
What are some symptoms sexually abused children exhibit?
Some children may show symptoms of PTSD, including agitated
behavior, frightening dreams, and repetitive play in which aspects
of the abuse are expressed.
Because of their sexual abuse, children may show sexual behavior
or seductiveness that is inappropriate for their age.
As a result of abuse, children, especially boys, tend to "act
out" with behavior problems, such as cruelty to others and running
away.
Other children "act in" by becoming depressed or by withdrawing
from friends or family.
Sometimes children may try to injure themselves or attempt
suicide.
What can parents and caretakers do to help keep children
safe?
Talk to your children about the difference between good touch
and bad touch. Tell the child that if someone tries to touch his or
her body and do things that make the child feel uncomfortable, he
or she should say NO to the person and tell you about it right
away.
Let children know that they have the right to forbid others to
touch their bodies in a bad way. Let them know that respect does
not always mean doing what those in authority tell them to do.
Do not tell them to do EVERYTHING the babysitter or group
leader tells them to do.
Alert your children that perpetrators may use the Internet, and
monitor your children's access to online websites.
Most importantly, provide a safe, caring environment so children
feel able to talk freely about sexual abuse.
What should parents and caretakers do if they suspect
abuse?
If a child says she or he has been abused, try to remain
calm.
Reassure the child that what has happened is not his or her
fault.
Seek a medical examination and psychological consultation
immediately.
Know that children can recover from sexual abuse, particularly
if they have the support of a caring, available parent.
Get help yourself. It is often very painful to acknowledge that
your child has been sexually exploited. Parents can harm children
further if they inappropriately minimize the abuse or if they
harbor irrational fears related to the abuse. Therapy can help
caretakers deal with their own feelings about the abuse so that
they are able to provide support to their children.
What are the possible long-term effects of child sexual
abuse?
If child sexual abuse is not effectively treated, long-term
symptoms may persist into adulthood. These may include:
PTSD and/or anxiety
Depression and thoughts of suicide
Sexual anxiety and disorders
Poor body image and low self-esteem
The use of unhealthy behaviors, such as alcohol abuse, drug
abuse, self-mutilation, or bingeing and purging, to help mask
painful emotions related to the abuse
If you were abused as a child and suffer from any of these
symptoms, it may help you to get help from a mental-health
professional who has expertise in working with people who have been
sexually abused.
Recommended Books That Address Child Sexual
Abuse
Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused
As a Child, a Support Book by Laura Davis. (1991).
Harperperennial Library; ISBN 0060968834
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual
Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. (1994). Harperperennial
Library; ISBN 0060950668
Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence from Domestic
Abuse to Political Terror by Judith Herman. (1997). Basic
Books; ISBN 0465087302.
Shattered Assumptions: Toward a New Psychology of Trauma by
Ronnie Janoff-Bulman. (1992). The Free Press; ISBN 0029160154
Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and Other Sexual
Child Abuse by Mike Lew, Foreword by Ellen Bass. (1990).
HarperCollins; ISBN 0060973005
Wounded Boys Heroic Men: A Man's Guide to Recovering from Child
Abuse by Danial Jay Sonkin and Lenore E. A. Walker. (1998).
Adams Media Corporations; ISBN 1580620108
References
Ackerman, P. T., Newton, J. E.O., McPherson, W. B., Jones, J.
G., & Dykman, R. A. (1998). Prevalence of post traumatic stress
disorder and other psychiatric diagnoses in three groups of abused
children (sexual, physical, and both).
Child Abuse & Neglect, 22, 759-774.
Boney-McCoy, S. & Finkelhor, D. (1996). Is youth
victimization related to trauma symptoms and depression after
controlling for prior symptoms and family relationships? A
longitudinal, prospective study.
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 64,
1406-1416.
Collings, S. J. (1995). The long-term effects of contact and
noncontact forms of child sexual abuse in a sample of university
men.
Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 1-6.
Jumper, S. (1995). A meta-analysis of the relationship of child
sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment.
Child Abuse and Neglect, 19, 715-728.
Kendall-Tackett, K. A., Williams, L. M., & Finkelhor, D.
(1993). Impact of sexual abuse on children: A review and synthesis
of recent empirical studies.
Psychological Bulletin, 113, 164-180.
Neumann, D. A., Houskamp, B. M., Pollock, V. E., & Briere,
J. (1996). The long-term sequelae of childhood sexual abuse in
women: A meta-analytic review.
Child Maltreatment, 1, 6-16.