Sexual Abuse of Children

Sexual Trauma – Children Suffer

by Jonathan Huttner

Sexual abuse – children who experience it and other sexual trauma find it difficult to talk about. Unfortunately, sexual abuse and sexual trauma of children happens all to often, even to infants.

The sexual abuse of children is defined as the involvement of dependent, developmentally immature persons performing sexual acts they either do not understand or do not consent to. When it comes to the sexual abuse of children, the harm it causes can be devastating, both physically and emotionally. Often, sexually abused children experience severe emotional disturbances resulting from the guilt and shame associated with the abuse.

Sexual abuse of children is reported up to 80,000 times a year. If that number astonishes you, even more disturbing is the fact that most sexual abuse or child sexual trauma goes unreported. This unfortunate fact means that many sexually abused children never get the treatment they need to recover from this sexual trauma. The long-term psychological and emotional damage experienced by a sexually abused child can be devastating if not treated.

Sexual Abuse – Children Experience it at the Hands of Those They Trust Most

The sad fact is that when it comes to sexual abuse, children often experience it at the hands of a family member, like a parent or sibling. Many times, the sexual abuse of children is performed by neighbors or trusted friends, teachers or even members of the clergy. When sexual abuse occurs, a child often develops disturbances in their feelings, thoughts and behaviors. Sexually abused children cannot psychologically cope with the trauma and tend to develop problems that may manifest themselves in physical and psychological ways. Many sexually abused children are confused by the trauma…caught between a certain sense of loyalty to the abuser and the guilt associated with the sexual abuse itself. Fear, anger, jealousy and shame may result from this abuse, especially when it is inflicted by a family member.

Children who experience sexual abuse over a prolonged period of time can develop low self-esteem, abnormal or distorted views of sex and a feeling of worthlessness. The abused child may become withdrawn and unable to trust anyone….some even become suicidal. In addition, sexually abused children may themselves become child abusers or prostitutes and develop serious addictions to drugs or alcohol. Eating disorders and dual diagnosis are also not unusual in children who have experienced sexual abuse.

Effects of Sexual Abuse – Children

• Sleep problems and nightmares
• Avoidance or obsessive interest in things of a sexual nature
• Depression
• Withdrawal from friends or family
• Belief that their bodies are dirty or damaged
• Fear that there is something wrong with their genitals
• Drug addiction, bulimia, anorexia or compulsive eating
• Delinquency
• Excessive secretiveness
• Sexual molestation in drawings, games and fantasies
• Unusual aggressiveness
• Obsessive behavior
• Suicidal behavior
• Exhibitionism, fondling and other sexual contact with children

Sexual abuse can also occur even if touching is not involved. Sexual abuse of this nature includes:

• Indecent exposure/exhibitionism
• Exposure to pornographic material
• The forced viewing of sexual intercourse
• Masturbation in front of a child

Sexual abuse that occurs with physical contact includes:

• Making a child touch an adult's sexual organs
• Fondling
• Penetration of a child's vagina or anus by an object that doesn't have a medical purpose

Those children who experience sexual abuse need to receive help from professionals trained in the treatment of sexual trauma of children. Treatment should be sought as soon as the abuse is recognized.

Jonathan Huttner is one of the founders of Lakeview Health Systems, which has treated over 7,000 people from throughout the United States. Jonathan has been involved in the field of addiction and eating disorder treatment for the last 25 years.