The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines child sexual abuse as “the involvement of a child (person less than 18 years old) in sexual activity that violate the laws or social taboos of society and that he/she:
- Does not fully comprehend
- Does not consent to or is unable to give informed consent to, or
- Is not developmentally prepared for and cannot give consent to.”
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What is the Sexual Abuse of a Child?
The CDC categorizes child sex abuse as a public health problem. The abuse can include various types of sexually abusive actions towards a child, such as sexual assault, incest, rape, sexual contact, intentional touching, touching with no penetration, commercially exploiting a child, and noncontact sexual interaction, such as exposing a child to pornography, taking sexual photos or videos of a child, harassing.
The World Health Organization (WHO) includes the adult’s role as being in a relationship of power or responsibility. The child often is trusting of the adult and the sexual activity is intended to satisfy or gratify the adult.
Prevalence of Child Sex Abuse
The CDC reports that around 1 in 4 girls and 1 in every 13 boys are sexually abused at some point throughout their childhoods. Child sex abuse can happen on an institutional level or individual level, however, statistics state that 91% of victims knew the perpetrator.
Recently, state legislatures have been changing their laws to allow victims of child abuse from even decades ago to file claims against individual and institutional perpetrators. The Boy Scouts sex abuse scandal, the Catholic Church sex abuse scandal, and the school sex abuse scandal have brought forward hundreds of thousands of victims. These victims are now in the process of receiving compensation for the abuse they endured from the institutions failing to protect them from their abusers.
Effects of Child Sex Abuse
As a child, those who have experienced sexual abuse demonstrate a range of behavioral and emotional reactions. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network states that children who are sexually abused may experience more nightmares and sleeping issues, withdrawn behavior, anger, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, social issues, poor self-esteem, and fear being left along with individuals.
The child’s age, when abused, also plays a role in the immediate effects after the abuse or during the time of being abused. Young children may develop anxiety and post-traumatic stress after the abuse, demonstrating developmental regression, aggression, or extreme distress when separated from their caregivers. Older children are more likely to withdraw, avoid stressful situations, or emotionally shut down. Other effects on adolescents include panic attacks, substance abuse issues, and self-harming behaviors.
The long-term effects on children that are sexually abused as they reach adulthood vary and are often complex. Research consistently shows that depending on how severe and how many times the child was abused, the long-lasting effects can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety issues. Recovery from these long-term effects is possible, though, with effective treatment.
Injuries Associated with Child Sex Abuse
Physical injuries can also result from child sex abuse. The WHO describes signs of child sexual abuse to include:
- unexplained genital injuries
- recurrent vulvovaginitis, which is inflammation or infection in the vulva or vagina
- vaginal or penile discharge
- bedwetting or fecal soiling beyond the normal age
- anal complaints, such as fissures, pain or bleeding
- pain when urinating
- urinary tract infections
- sexually transmitted infections
- pregnancy
- the presence of sperm
What are the Symptoms of Women with a History of Sex Abuse as a Child?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) states that depression, anxiety, and anger are the most common emotional responses of adults who were abused as children. Other symptoms, specifically to women, include:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Dyspareunia, which is recurring pain during sexual intercourse
- Vaginismus, a condition where muscles spasms occur on the pelvic floor muscles, causing pain during sexual intercourse
- Nonspecific vaginitis
- Gastrointestinal disorders
Adults who were abused as children are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, in addition to being more likely to smoke, be less physically active, and also are more likely to be severely obese. Survivors are also more likely to be abused as adults or are more likely to accept being victimized by others.
Do Child Sex Abuse Victims Feel Traumatized at the Time?
Child sex abuse is traumatizing for a child. The abuse can cause severe psychological damage to the child both at the time of the abuse and as the child grows up. Researchers identify PTSD as a core effect of child sexual abuse. In the immediate aftermath of the sexual abuse, researchers found that disassociation is a key indicator that the child will experience PTSD in later years. Anxiety is also another critical factor that is immediately seen in children who researchers predict will experience PTSD.
The symptoms we describe in this article indicate that while the child may not recognize the trauma they experience or experienced from the abuse, the short-term and long-term effects can traumatize the child throughout childhood and adulthood.
What to do if you or a Family Member is a Victim of Child Sexual Abuse
If you or a family member is a victim of child sexual abuse, contact a child sex abuse lawyer to learn about your rights and legal remedies. Many states, including Michigan, Texas, New York, California and Florida, have passed laws to change the statutes of limitations for child abuse victims. This means that you can file a claim against both the individual that abused you and the institution that allowed the abuse to happen. While nothing can pay for the pain and trauma you’ve endured, you can potentially receive compensation for that pain and suffering and to help pay for the costs of any treatments to help you recover from the abuse.