Child sexual abuse or molestation represents the exploitation of a child in a sexually assaultive manner by a grown-up or older teenager. Sexual activity with a child (whether asked for, forced, or coerced), indecent display (of the genitalia or female nipples, to mention a few), grooming, and sexual exploitation are examples of sexual abuse of children. Some perpetrators of child sexual abuse engage in practices such as using children to create pornographic content (Hailes et al., 2019). Sexual abuse of children can happen anywhere, including at home, in the classroom, or on the job (where child labor is common). Girls are often sexually exploited and abused, and child marriage is a common practice that contributes to this vice. Short-term and long-term mental, physical, and behavioral problems are associated with child sexual abuse.
The ability to develop and maintain healthy social bonds, both romantic and platonic, can be severely disrupted by the trauma of child sexual abuse. Victims and survivors may have trouble in their relationships, both at the time of the abuse and in the future (Sanjeevi et al., 2018). Despite its effect, victims and survivors often have trouble opening up to their partners, family, and friends about the sexual abuse they experienced (Vrolijk-Bosschaart et al., 2018). The lasting effects of child sexual abuse include a wide variety of diseases and impairments. Child sexual abuse has been linked to high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, malnutrition, mobility issues, and complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Fear, sadness, anger, guilt, self-blame, and confusion are some of the feelings that children may go through at the time of sexual abuse. If a victim of child sexual abuse discloses their experience and then receives no support, they are more likely to internalize their trauma and be less likely to reach out for help in the future.
Trauma-informed therapy is an effective approach to treating children who have been sexually abused. This form of therapy requires a therapist with expertise in dealing with trauma and assisting patients in their recovery (Assink et al., 2019). Health, relationships, and emotional regulation are the three fundamentals of trauma-informed care. One of the goals of treatment for child sexual abuse and trauma-related symptoms should be to help patients avoid developing these problems in the first place (Knack et al., 2019). Effective preventive methods ensure that all children grow up in secure, loving homes and communities.
I believe adults should create environments and relationships that are safe and nurturing for children. Treatments for victims and criminal justice-oriented approaches to addressing sexual abuse of children have received the bulk of the available resources. However, primary prevention or the deterrence of child sexual abuse has received a relatively small investment. Although there are effective evidence-based strategies for protecting children from child sexual abuse, I feel that they have not been widely disseminated. Increased funding is required to create, evaluate, and put into practice primary prevention strategies against child sexual abuse.
Short-term and lasting mental, behavioral, and physical issues are linked to child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of children can cause a wide range of health problems and disabilities later in life. It has been linked to many adverse health outcomes, including hypertension, chronic fatigue, malnutrition, mobility problems, and even complications during pregnancy and delivery. Children need adults who will provide them with a safe space to grow and develop in, as well as relationships that will support and encourage them. Trauma-informed care focuses on health, relationships, and emotional regulation. The majority of efforts aimed at ending child sexual abuse have been focused on victim care and criminal justice. However, little effort has been put into primary prevention to eliminate child sexual abuse. Primary prevention policies against child sexual abuse need more funding to develop, evaluate, and implement.
References
Assink, M., van der Put, C. E., Meeuwsen, M. W., de Jong, N. M., Oort, F. J., Stams, G. J. J., & Hoeve, M. (2019). Risk factors for child sexual abuse victimization: A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 145(5), 459-489. Web.
Hailes, H. P., Yu, R., Danese, A., & Fazel, S. (2019). Long-term outcomes of childhood sexual abuse: An umbrella review. The Lancet Psychiatry, 6(10), 830-839. Web.
Knack, N., Winder, B., Murphy, L., & Fedoroff, J. P. (2019). Primary and secondary prevention of child sexual abuse. International Review of Psychiatry, 31(2), 181-194. Web.
Sanjeevi, J., Houlihan, D., Bergstrom, K. A., Langley, M. M., & Judkins, J. (2018). A review of child sexual abuse: Impact, risk, and resilience in the context of culture. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27(6), 622-641. Web.
Vrolijk-Bosschaart, T. F., Brilleslijper-Kater, S. N., Benninga, M. A., Lindauer, R. J., & Teeuw, A. H. (2018). Clinical practice: Recognizing child sexual abuse—what makes it so difficult? European Journal of Pediatrics, 177(9), 1343-1350. Web.