Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the long-term and short-term effects of child sexual abuse, future self-esteem issues, future drug abuse, effects on future relationships, and future repetitive behavior. The writer explains that the problem of child sexual abuse does not end when the abuse ends. The effects of sexual abuse on children are wide-ranging and often last a lifetime. It concludes that children may be abused only once, but the effects of that abuse can color their outlook forever.

From the Paper:

"Child abuse may be much more prevalent than many people believe. One expert estimates as many as one-quarter of all children in America are sexually abused (Miltenberger and Roberts 84). More sexual abuse has been reported in the last two decades, which accounts somewhat for this high figure, and there are many forms of abuse that are now considered sexual, including: touching or grabbing a child inappropriately, showing body parts to the child, fondling the child, hugging, kissing, or touching inappropriately, and attempted or successful sexual intercourse. Any or all of these types of abuse can leave lasting marks on a child. Even more disturbing is the estimate that average abuse begins between the ages of seven and nine (Miltenberger and Roberts 84). Clearly, childhood sexual abuse is more widespread than many believed, and it begins early enough that many children will bear lasting scars from their early experiences. Much research has shown that the biggest factor in childhood sexual abuse may be an unhappy home life. These researchers note, "Although a variety of factors can contribute to an "unhappy" home, some factors that may contribute include families separated by divorce, families with only one natural parent, or families in which there is discord" (Miltenberger and Roberts 84). Sadly, research also shows that the more severe the abuse, the more symptoms that show up during childhood, and remain during adulthood."

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