The impacts of child sexual abuse (CSA) are well-documented in literature. CSA is defined as inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor. It incorporates a host of factors such as fondling the genitals of the child, rape, incest, intercourse, sodomy, and sexual exploitation among others. CSA is only considered child abuse if the perpetrator is an individual entrusted with the welfare of the child. Despite the prevalence of the CSA, most of the cases go unreported. Although a majority of the victims of CSA are females, a considerable amount of male has also experienced this vice. Child sexual abuse has both far-reaching short-term and long-term implications. Sartor et al. (2013) point out that 20% of girls in the United States report incidences of CSA. CSA is directly linked to psychological problems, medical problems, substance abuse, and a repeat of a similar crime when they are adults.
Sexual abuse in childhood results in numerous long-term psychological consequences on the victim. Some of the most documented psychological effects of CSA include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicidal ideation, depression, conduct disorder, substance abuse, and increased re-victimization, among others (Edwards, 2018). The author goes ahead to point out that the consequences largely depend on the stage at which the sexual abuse occurred. For instance, preschool children exposed to CSA are more likely to experience physical health issues such as sleep problems and somatic complaints. They are also likely to experience more emotional and psychological problems as they grow. For adolescent victims, the most probable consequence of CSA includes suicidal ideation, difficulty in establishing relationships, and conditions such as PTSD. In documenting the far-reaching implications of CSA, Edwards, (2018) say, “CSA is related to a myriad number of psychological consequences and can also produce physiological, hormonal and neurochemical changes.”
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Other than the psychological problem associated with the CSA, childhood sexual abuse also carries a significant health burden on the child. Shamu et al. (2016) discuss the correlation between CSA and HIV/AIDS. CSA is a significant risky sexual behavior and could lead to many sexually transmitted infections if necessary steps are not taken in place. Most importantly, a majority of these cases go unreported, and this could limit the possibility of any medical intervention. Thus, victims end up contracting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV, syphilis, and gonorrhea. In some severe cases, the aftermath of sexual abuse could jeopardize the reproductive health of the child. Shamu et al. (2016) demonstrate that a large percentage of CSA perpetrators have HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. The children end up contracting these diseases which continues to have a toll on their lives as they grow and develop.
The victims of childhood sexual abuse might end up committing the same crimes when they are adults. An extensive body of literature has significantly explored the relationship between childhood abuse and subsequent offending when they become adults. In advancing this point, Bagaric, Wolf, & Isham, (2019) explains, “Children’s experience of abuse increases their risk of engaging in criminal offending, including violence, later in life.” The same happens in sex. CSA victims are likely to end up doing the same to other children or children of their own. As such, this creates a cyclic nature of violence that could have adverse impacts on the well-being of society. Taylor et al. discuss the critical effect that CSA has on the sexual minority men (SMM). According to the statistics by the authors, between 24% and 47% of SMM have a history of CSA (Taylor et al., 2018). SMM with a history of sexual abuse has a high prevalence of HIV, risky sexual behavior, and substance abuse. Research by the authors also proves that individuals with a CSA history have confusion regarding their sexual identity.
As discussed, childhood sexual abuse leads to incidences of psychological problems. As they grow up, victims can be subjected to numerous instances of mental health problems in the shape of depression and PTSD. However, more problematic is the fact that these individuals could potentially suffer from adverse social problems. According to Bhattacharyya (2018), victims of CSA experience high rates of guilt, shame, and self-blame. They might end up finding it difficult to establish any meaningful relationships in their social sphere. Also, the author points out to possible sexual problems that could further place them out of touch with the normal processes of life. Bhattacharyya (2018) further intimates that survivors have a problem externalizing the abuse which contributes to thinking negatively about themselves. According to Sharma (2018), female victims of CSA end up experiencing numerous sexual issues such as orgasmic disorders.
Lastly, CSA can drive victims to lifelong substance abuse problems. In discussing these problems, Sartor et al. (2013) say, “CSA has been linked to elevated rates of alcohol abuse and dependence.” Other forms of drug abuse associated with childhood sexual abuse include regular smoking, cannabis use, and nicotine dependence. The use of drugs at a critical point in the lives of the children could further lead to many medical and social problems.
In conclusion, CSA is directly linked to psychological problems, medical problems, substance abuse, and a repeat of a similar crime when they are adults. Children should be protected from instances of sexual abuse to ensure that they live a healthy life as they transition to adulthood. Victims, on the other hand, should be subjected to serious mental health counseling and social work to restore order in their lives.
References
Bagaric, M., Wolf, G., & Isham, P. (2019). Trauma and Sentencing: The Case for Mitigating Penalty for Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse. Stanford Law & Policy Review, 30(1), 1–59. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=lgh&AN=135619091&site=eds-live
Bhattacharyya, A. (2018). The effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy in dealing with the consequences of childhood sexual abuse and intellectual giftedness: A case report. Indian Journal of Health & Wellbeing, 9(4), 546–554. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=135040386&site=eds-live
Edwards, D. (2018). Childhood Sexual Abuse and Brain Development: A Discussion of Associated Structural Changes and Negative Psychological Outcomes. Child Abuse Review, 27(3), 198–208. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.2514
Sartor, C. E., Waldron, M., Duncan, A. E., Grant, J. D., McCutcheon, V. V., Nelson, E. C., … Heath, A. C. (2013). Childhood sexual abuse and early substance use in adolescent girls: the role of familial influences. Addiction, 108(5), 993–1000. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.12115
Shamu, S., Shamu, P., Zarowsky, C., Temmerman, M., Shefer, T., & Abrahams, N. (2019). Does a history of sexual and physical childhood abuse contribute to HIV infection risk in adulthood? A study among post-natal women in Harare, Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE, 14(01), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198866
Sharma, S. (2018). Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Female Sexuality. SIS Journal of Projective Psychology & Mental Health, 25(2), 173–177. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=133726493&site=eds-live
Taylor, S. W., Goshe, B. M., Marquez, S. M., Safren, S. A., & O’Cleirigh, C. (2018). Evaluating a novel intervention to reduce trauma symptoms and sexual risk-taking: qualitative exit interviews with sexual minority men with childhood sexual abuse. Psychology, Health & Medicine, 23(4), 454–464. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2017.1348609
