CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
When a perpetrator intentionally harms a minor physically, psychologically, sexually, or by acts of neglect, the crime is known as child abuse. This article focuses specifically on child sexual abuse and the warning signs that this crime may be occurring.
What is child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that includes sexual activity with a minor. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period. When a perpetrator engages with a child this way, they are committing a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim for years. Child sexual abuse does not need to include physical contact between a perpetrator and a child. Some forms of child sexual abuse include (but are not limited to):
Exhibitionism, or exposing oneself to a minor
Fondling
Intercourse
Masturbation in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate
Obscene conversations, phone calls, text messages, or digital interaction
Producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children
Sex of any kind with a minor, including vaginal, oral, or anal
Sex trafficking
Any other contact of a sexual nature that involves a minor.
What do perpetrators of child sexual abuse look like?
The majority of perpetrators are someone the child or family knows. As many as 93 percent of victims under the age of 18 know the abuser. A perpetrator does not have to be an adult to harm a child. They can have any relationship to the child including an older sibling or playmate, family member, a teacher, a coach or instructor, a caretaker, or the parent of another child. According to 1 in 6, “[Child] sexual abuse is the result of abusive behavior that takes advantage of a child’s vulnerability and is in no way related to the sexual orientation of the abusive person.”
Child sexual abuse isn’t always easy to spot and some survivors may not exhibit obvious warning signs. The perpetrator could be someone you’ve known a long time or trust, which may make it even harder to notice. Consider some of the following common warning signs:
Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area
Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
Difficulty walking or sitting
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Pain, itching, or burning in genital area
Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively
Develops phobias
Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents
Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades
Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors
Nightmares or bed-wetting
Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes a caretaker role
Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking
Runs away from home or school
Self-harms
Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact
Factors that determine how a child is impacted by sexual abuse usually fall into three categories.
Critical pre-abuse factors that increase the risk that a child will develop serious problems include the child's prior psychological concerns, especially a history of anxiety problems. If the child has previously been sexually abused or experienced other trauma, the risk is higher.
Many studies have shown that the more trauma and adverse life experiences a child has, the higher the risk of developing problems.
Abusive characteristics of the assault make a big impact on a child, especially those involving force and violence.
The most impactful factor is if the child believed they were in extreme danger and might be killed or hurt during the assault.
Abuse that occurs over time is also more harmful. This is likely because the child is living with the fear and worry about being abused instead of being able to put the experience behind them.
When children believe that it is their fault, that they are ruined, or that no one can be trusted, they are more likely to be seriously affected.
The most important response is how caregivers react to the abuse and that the response is not negative. Reactions that increase the risk for negative outcomes include disbelief, blaming the child for the victimization, or blaming the child for causing trouble to the family or the offender.
The biggest complications arise when the offender is a parent or close relative. The family is torn about whom to believe, or wants to avoid complications of accepting that a person they care about would do such a thing.
When the offender is a parent, the non-offending parent's response may be affected by their own sexual abuse history, dependency on the offender, and current relationship to the offender and child.
However, even in family situations, most families do believe and support their children.
Older children overall tend to be more affected because they have greater cognitive awareness of what sexual assault means and how it might impact other aspects of their lives.
Younger children are primarily focused on their immediate safety and security.
Anxiety and posttraumatic stress in young children are often expressed by developmental regression, aggression, and distress at separation from a caregiver.
Older children are more likely to withdraw, avoid situations that are distressing, or shut down emotionally.
Adolescents who experience severe anxiety may have panic attacks, abuse substances, or engage in self-harming behaviors.
No matter what the developmental stage of a child, caregivers are the most important influence on children. Insuring that caregivers have accurate information, are supportive to their children, and manage their own emotional reactions in a constructive way is by far the most important factor in helping children. When working with children and caregivers we always need to consider the impact that culture has on the child and caregiver.
Abusers can manipulate victims to stay quiet about the sexual abuse using a number of different tactics. Often an abuser will use their position of power over the victim to coerce or intimidate the child. They might tell the child that the activity is normal or that they enjoyed it. An abuser may make threats if the child refuses to participate or plans to tell another adult. Child sexual abuse is not only a physical violation; it is a violation of trust and/or authority.
What are the warning signs?
Child sexual abuse isn’t always easy to spot and some survivors may not exhibit obvious warning signs. The perpetrator could be someone you’ve known a long time or trust, which may make it even harder to notice. Consider some of the following common warning signs:
Physical signs:
Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area
Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
Difficulty walking or sitting
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Pain, itching, or burning in genital area
Behavioral signs:
Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively
Develops phobias
Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents
Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades
Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors
Nightmares or bed-wetting
Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes a caretaker role
Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking
Runs away from home or school
Self-harms
Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact
EFFECTS OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Factors that determine how a child is impacted by sexual abuse usually fall into three categories.
The child's previous experiences and history:
Critical pre-abuse factors that increase the risk that a child will develop serious problems include the child's prior psychological concerns, especially a history of anxiety problems. If the child has previously been sexually abused or experienced other trauma, the risk is higher.
Many studies have shown that the more trauma and adverse life experiences a child has, the higher the risk of developing problems.
Nature of the sexual abuse and the child's reactions:
Abusive characteristics of the assault make a big impact on a child, especially those involving force and violence.
The most impactful factor is if the child believed they were in extreme danger and might be killed or hurt during the assault.
Abuse that occurs over time is also more harmful. This is likely because the child is living with the fear and worry about being abused instead of being able to put the experience behind them.
When children believe that it is their fault, that they are ruined, or that no one can be trusted, they are more likely to be seriously affected.
Responses by others upon disclosure of abuse:
The most important response is how caregivers react to the abuse and that the response is not negative. Reactions that increase the risk for negative outcomes include disbelief, blaming the child for the victimization, or blaming the child for causing trouble to the family or the offender.
The biggest complications arise when the offender is a parent or close relative. The family is torn about whom to believe, or wants to avoid complications of accepting that a person they care about would do such a thing.
When the offender is a parent, the non-offending parent's response may be affected by their own sexual abuse history, dependency on the offender, and current relationship to the offender and child.
However, even in family situations, most families do believe and support their children.
Children at different ages express the impacts of sexual assault experiences differently:
Older children overall tend to be more affected because they have greater cognitive awareness of what sexual assault means and how it might impact other aspects of their lives.
Younger children are primarily focused on their immediate safety and security.
Anxiety and posttraumatic stress in young children are often expressed by developmental regression, aggression, and distress at separation from a caregiver.
Older children are more likely to withdraw, avoid situations that are distressing, or shut down emotionally.
Adolescents who experience severe anxiety may have panic attacks, abuse substances, or engage in self-harming behaviors.
No matter what the developmental stage of a child, caregivers are the most important influence on children. Insuring that caregivers have accurate information, are supportive to their children, and manage their own emotional reactions in a constructive way is by far the most important factor in helping children. When working with children and caregivers we always need to consider the impact that culture has on the child and caregiver.
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