Child sexual abuse: causes, impacts, and prevention strategies

Child sexual abuse is a topic that has attracted must attention in the current years. Studies estimate that up to 33% of women and at least 20% of men are victims of child sexual abuse (Misurell & Springer, 2013). Sexual abuses excluding touch are often not reported. This suggests that the number of individuals who could be sexually abused in their childhood may even be greater. As a high percentage of individuals may have experienced child sexual abuse, there are high chances that most people pursuing therapy could record histories with sexual abuse. Evidently, counselors must be familiar and aware of the long-term effects and symptoms associated with child sexual abuse. This will help them in attaining a deeper understanding of the prerequisites of counseling. This study defines child sexual abuse, reviews the impact of child sexual abuse, and explores the long-term effects whilst identifying the appropriate treatments.

Childhood Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse manifests in various forms. It could involve a violent action done by a stranger or a seduction act committed by a relative. It is hard to define child sexual abuse because it manifests in different forms, different frequency levels, and the circumstances in which it occurs tend to vary. Further, it is associated with different relationships. A couple of writers conquer on the following definition: child sexual abuse is any sexual act between an adult and a grown up, where the adult coerce or seduce the participation of the younger child. Besides the differing definitions of child sexual abuse, it is defined as a pervasive or a negative psychological effect on its victims (Emmelin, Hogan & Nystrom, 2011).

Most sexual abuse cases happen in childhood, with the most common form being incest. The effect of child sexual abuse differs from one case to another. Studies comparing women's experiences that underwent familial sexual abuse recorded heightened levels of anxiety and depression when thinking about the abuse. Additional factors they reported increasing distress levels were high numbers of experiences of sexual abuse, extensive sexual abuse and the first experience of sexual abuse at a younger age (Misurell, Springer & Tryon, 2011).

While the severity and the nature of sexual abuse act might be serious, other variables may influence the magnitude of damage experienced by victims. Other variables might include the internal resources of an individual, the support level of an individual and the individual's perspective. Although some forms of child sexual abuse do not include touch, it is imperative for therapists to grasp that child sexual abuse could assume many different forms that would still sexually exploit the victim and cause more harm. Perpetrators might exploit children by assaulting them via internet, introducing them to pornography at a premature age, or coercing them to take pornographic photos (Brandon & Kerryann, 2011).

Child sexual abuse violates the basic human rights entitled to individuals. Children must enjoy sexual experiences at the most appropriate development period and within their choice and control. The dynamics and nature of sexually abusive relationships and sexual abuse tend to be traumatic. When a child experiences sexual abuse, it has high chances of hindering normal social development and causes numerous psychological problems. This leads to the need for the next section focusing on long-term effects of child sexual abuse.

Long-term Effects and Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is linked with high levels of guilt, depression, anxiety, denial, repression, eating disorders, self-blame, shame, somatic concerns, and denial problems. Researchers have found depression to be a common long-term symptom for most victims. Victims might have trouble in externalizing the sexual abuse hence, developing negative thoughts about themselves (Brandon & Kerryann, 2011). After years of a series of negative self-thoughts, victims develop feelings of lack of self-worth and isolate themselves from others. Studies have illuminated child sexual abuse victim's depression to having suicidal ideation, feeling down most times, having disturbed patterns of eating, disturbed sleeping patterns, experiencing self-blame, guilt and shame.

Studies demonstrate that victims regularly assume personal responsibility for the childhood sexual abuse. When an esteemed and trusted adult carries the sexual abuse, the child would find it challenging when reporting such incident. As a result, this leaves the victim incapable of viewing what occurred as not their fault. Victims have a tendency of blaming themselves and internalizing negative messages regarding themselves. They display more suicidal ideation and self-destructive behavior than their peers who have not been abused. Eating disorders and body issues have been widely cited as long-term impacts of child sexual abuse (Emmelin, Hogan & Nystrom, 2011).

The symptoms of child sexual abuse have been described as body image problems related to feeling unattractive, dirty, dissatisfaction with appearance, obesity, and eating disorders. Victim's distress might as well result in somatic concerns. Related studies discovered that women victims recorded remarkably increased medical concerns. One study established that women victims recorded increased medical concerns compared to individuals who have never experienced childhood sexual abuse (Brandon & Kerryann, 2011). Pelvic pain is the most frequently reported medical complaints. Among victims, somatic symptoms are always associated with gastrointestinal problems, pelvic pain, headaches, and difficulty in swallowing. Anxiety and stress are regular impacts of child sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse could cause stress and could be frightening after the experience has ceased. Most times, victims experience phobias, anxiety attacks, tension, and chronic anxiety. Some studies focused on adult childhood sexual abuse survivors and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Vietnamese veterans. These studies revealed that child sexual abuse is often traumatizing and could result in symptoms similar to war related trauma.

Treatments for Child Sexual Abuse

There are various psychotherapeutic methodologies of treating child sexual abuse. They include psychodynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy and eye movement desensitization. However, the most rigorous and frequent study intervention for child sexual abuse is the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Various meta-analyses and randomized-controlled trials adequately support the efficacy of TF-CBT in treating the problems that CSA victims face. Emerging meta-analysis reports similar results of prior studies regarding TF-CBT's clinical efficacy. However, this paper established that the effectiveness of TF-CBT enhances when it is integrated with an alternative treatment modality like play therapy (Misurell & Springer, 2013).