The Long Term Effects of Sexual Abuse During Childhood
There is no question that sexual abuse, defined by the American Psychological Association as an “unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent” (American Psychological Association), is a serious problem that has plagued the lives of children for numerous years. In fact, based on a study found in the Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA, 1 in 4 females and nearly 1 in 5 males claimed to have suffered from sexual abuse as a child (2005). Victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse transcend the barriers of race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, ability, and age. The sexual abuse …show more content…
Figures gathered from a study of almost three thousand imprisoned men show that childhood sexual abuse “increased the likelihood of later sexual offending nearly sixfold” according to DeLisi, Kosloski, Vaughn, Caudill, and Trulson (p. 620-635, 2014). These conclusions are echoed in a study of almost five hundred males tried for sexual offenses by Morais, Alexander, Fix, and Burkhart that found a parallel between the men who had a background of being sexually abused and the probability of sexually offending. The results of this study also indicated that these men were also more susceptible to major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (2016). Unfortunately, Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are not the only potential effects of being sexually abused as a child. Dr. Davidson and Dr. Omar believe that other effects of the sexual abuse of children that should draw considerable concern consist of the following: “depression, sleep problems, eating disorders, obesity, feelings of isolation, stigmatization, poor self-esteem, problems with interpersonal relationships, negative effect on sexual function, revictimization, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, history of fire-starting, and psychosis.” The authors also note a presence of “socially inappropriate or precocious behaviors” (2014). Issues like those listed above affect every aspect of the victims’ lives for the rest of their lives. Some effects are more life-threatening. As cited in “Gender differences in the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and in the development of pediatric PTSD”(2004), a study by Dinwiddie et al. found that “strong associations with depression and suicidal ideation in sexually abused men and women, but higher rates of conduct disorder and alcohol dependence in males and of social phobia in
There is no question that sexual abuse, defined by the American Psychological Association as an “unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent” (American Psychological Association), is a serious problem that has plagued the lives of children for numerous years. In fact, based on a study found in the Medical Letter on the CDC & FDA, 1 in 4 females and nearly 1 in 5 males claimed to have suffered from sexual abuse as a child (2005). Victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse transcend the barriers of race, gender, religion, socioeconomic status, ability, and age. The sexual abuse …show more content…
Figures gathered from a study of almost three thousand imprisoned men show that childhood sexual abuse “increased the likelihood of later sexual offending nearly sixfold” according to DeLisi, Kosloski, Vaughn, Caudill, and Trulson (p. 620-635, 2014). These conclusions are echoed in a study of almost five hundred males tried for sexual offenses by Morais, Alexander, Fix, and Burkhart that found a parallel between the men who had a background of being sexually abused and the probability of sexually offending. The results of this study also indicated that these men were also more susceptible to major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (2016). Unfortunately, Major Depressive Disorder and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are not the only potential effects of being sexually abused as a child. Dr. Davidson and Dr. Omar believe that other effects of the sexual abuse of children that should draw considerable concern consist of the following: “depression, sleep problems, eating disorders, obesity, feelings of isolation, stigmatization, poor self-esteem, problems with interpersonal relationships, negative effect on sexual function, revictimization, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, history of fire-starting, and psychosis.” The authors also note a presence of “socially inappropriate or precocious behaviors” (2014). Issues like those listed above affect every aspect of the victims’ lives for the rest of their lives. Some effects are more life-threatening. As cited in “Gender differences in the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and in the development of pediatric PTSD”(2004), a study by Dinwiddie et al. found that “strong associations with depression and suicidal ideation in sexually abused men and women, but higher rates of conduct disorder and alcohol dependence in males and of social phobia in