Examining claims linking childhood sexual abuse to adult homosexuality

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Exordium

Claims that homosexuality can be caused by child sexual abuse (CSA) are controversial. These claims have been made by a number of researchers, and have weak links to data that may support them (Brady, 2008). In short, it is very difficult to determine if there is actually a link between CSA and homosexuality. It is important not only to further study whether there is a true link between CSA and homosexuality that goes beyond coincidence, but to also study what can be done to prevent CSA, regardless of whether it has the potential to lead to homosexuality in later life. One of the ways to do this is through policy changes through agencies that typically work with CSA and related issues, such as the Department of Children and Family Services.

Narratio

The idea that CSA causes homosexuality is not a new one. Much of the argument surrounding this issue comes about because homosexuality is still often considered to be a deviant behavior, just like many of the other behaviors that are engaged in by those who are victims of CSA (Roberts, Glymour, & Koenen, 2013). When these kinds of behaviors arise, and they are classified as something outside of the norm, researchers begin to look for reasons why the behaviors are occurring. That can lead them to finding links that are questionable, and that may not have any degree of accuracy. That begs the following question:

Is there a correlation between a homosexual orientation as an adult and having been sexually abused as a child, and what can be done to establish or discount that link?

After defining homosexuality, considering numerous theories, and deliberating the limitations and biases in the outcomes, the proposed homosexual causation theory of CSA is still quite unclear. There is no actual evidence that CSA causes homosexuality on a wide scale, as there are many people who are homosexual who have never been abused, and many who are not homosexual who have been abused (Hunter, 2011).

Propositio

Until and unless a link can be proven, there can be no definitive answer as to whether CSA causes homosexuality, or leads to a greater risk of it. As such, it is proposed that Child Protective Services (CPS), as the government agency entrusted with the care of children who are being abused, be charged with the duty of investigating this issue. Since CPS already has a goal of protecting children, it is also proposed that the agency's focus be expanded to that of collecting and tabulating data on CSA and homosexuality, as well as mitigating the chances of the behavior occurring. In other words, stopping CSA before it starts should be the main focus of the agency, not clean-up efforts after something has already occurred. In order to do that, CPS will have to adjust its policies in order to focus more on reports of CSA, as many children fall through the cracks when reports are made but clear evidence is not found right away.

Being able to report to CPS should be easier and less complicated, and investigations into CSA should be carried out more thoroughly, and much more rapidly. With the backlog of cases CPS has, CSA can go on for some time before the investigation into it is really undertaken. Some argue that CPS already has too much "Big Brother" power to investigate people and take away their children, but the protection of children is vital to the continuation of society, and must be a continually considered through legislation and policies that do all they can to ensure that CSA does not happen. In the cases where it is not caught in time, more options for counseling of the victim and rehabilitation of the offender should be available and required, to help people recover from the damage caused.

While other agencies can certainly be used to help in this particular study, CPS should play a leading role in improving epidemiological information about the prevalence of child abuse and the creation of adequate data systems to track the incidence of these cases. Children who have been victims of sexual abuse often suffer from a number of mental health problems, and whether homosexuality falls under that umbrella term is also something that can be argued. In order for children to be better protected, and to have the treatment and counseling options they really need, policies that allow for CPS to have a broader reach and better funding must be offered.

Partitio

The paper will be organized in the following manner: an introduction to CSA and homosexuality, along with a discussion about the weak but potential link between them, how more information should be gathered and studied, the argument, the counterargument, the rebuttal to that counterargument, and the conclusion that has been reached by the writer of the paper. This will allow for a natural flow of information and a progression through the issue to a logical conclusion.

Presentation of Writer's Position (Arguments)

Confirmatio

It is difficult to determine the prevalence of CSA because of a lack of reporting and poor tracking methods that have not been found to be consistent (Katz-Wise & Hyde, 2012). Because of that, there is a real need for criteria to be established that deal with the reporting, collection methodology, and definition of CSA in order to better study cause and effect theories and outcomes. This can be done in a number of ways, including increasing public awareness of the scale, nature, and consequences of CSA, along with facilitating the development and implementation of a comprehensive, coordinated response to CSA, both nationally and locally, which would primarily be conducted through CPS, with expansion to other agencies at a later date. When conducted on a larger scale such as this, there is much more opportunity to show the value in addressing issues with CSA and the potential for homosexuality, along with looking for ways to reduce the number of CSA cases that occur and protect children while rehabilitating offenders.

Additionally, it is vital to keep the value of researching CSA at the forefront of any studies that are conducted, as it is important for prevention and treatment of CSA and its related consequences (Roberts, Glymour, & Koenen, 2013). Education and intervention programs through CPS must also be established to promote improved reporting and victim participation in research, and to contribute to the prevention of CSA. This can help to counteract the effects of victims' experiences, and help them lead fuller lives. Locating and cataloging CSA is not just about helping the victim after the fact, though. Doing this will also help CPS and other agencies find patterns that can allow them to find abuse before it begins and educate the public more easily, so that the number of CSA cases that occur will actually fall. While protecting and helping victims is very important, prevention of CSA in the first place should be the primary goal (Meston, Heiman, & Trapnell, 1999).

Summary of Opposing Views (Counter-Arguments)

Response to Opposing Views (Rebuttals)

While much can be done to institute stricter consequences for offenders, the key to the issue is prevention (Meston, Heiman, & Trapnell, 1999). Stopping CSA will improve the lives of many children and if there is a link between CSA and homosexuality, this should result in a reduction in the homosexual population which would be a measurable outcome (Katz-Wise & Hyde, 2012). Another, albeit smaller, benefit would be additional stringent reporting requirements and more thorough investigative procedures implemented to decrease false or premature reporting. When CSA is occurring it needs to be stopped right away. Reducing the number of children who are victims of CSA through the discovery of the problem before it begins is the best ways to handle the issue. Government funding and grants can help to offset the cost of much-needed changes to the system, and can be used to help CPS work with other agencies on prevention, reporting counseling, and rehabilitation programs that will help the largest number of children.

Conclusion

Peroratio

As to whether there is a correlation between a homosexual orientation as an adult and having been sexually abused as a child, the answer is still unclear. However, there have been studies showing the potential for a link. As such, there need to be more study into the issue. More consistency in the reporting, data analysis, tracking, and research of CSA through the use of CPS and other agencies will allow for a better understanding of developmental, psychological, emotional, and sexual implications. The intention of gaining more insight and reliable information about CSA must also be coupled, though, with a desire to eradicate CSA and stop it before it starts, rather than just trying to pinpoint causes in order to study ways to rehabilitate offenders and help victims. Prevention must always be at the forefront of protecting children, and can be more easily accomplished through changes to policies and legislation that give CPS more power to move forward on CSA cases quickly, so they are able to stop abuse, catalog information, and provide insight into how best to help children