Sexual abuse is a prominent problem occurring in our society everyday. Sexual abuse can be defined as any sexual activity that is not consented by the victim. The perpetrator may use force, make threats, or take advantage of those that cannot give consent. In nearly all cases, the victim knows the perpetrator (Sexual Abuse, 2014). The sexual abuse of children specifically has become an immense concern in the community. Shocking statistics reveal that approximately 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused before the age of 18 (Raising awareness about sexual abuse, 2014). However, sexual abuse is one of the most under reported crimes, where over 30% of cases are left unreported (Statistics about child sexual abuse, n.d.). Victims tend
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I do not know the details of what happened, but she seems to be able to function in life despite everything that has happened to her. She experienced the death of her father at a young age and the hardship of living in poverty. She also experienced betrayal by someone she really trusted. Despite all that has happened in her life previously, she has still been able to form healthy relationships and be truly happy. In the past she may have experienced some symptoms of depression, but overall she hasn’t suffered much psychological distress despite the amount of trauma she has been through. It seems that her sexual abuse in childhood has had less of a negative impact on her mental health compared to others. I think her situation is somewhat rare compared to what a typical person that endures sexual abuse as a child would go through. Of course, there may be other contributing factors, but in many cases sexual abuse as a child can have a negative impact on mental health and future …show more content…
Results showed that victims that suffered child sexual abuse were more likely to experience significant impairments in functioning including depressive symptoms, psychiatric disorders, as well as suicidal ideation and attempt, compared to those who never experienced sexual abuse in childhood. Almost all female participants aged 15, that were sexually abused, documented having current suicidal thoughts, while 1 in 4 female participants’ aged 21 that were sexually abused had attempted suicide. The findings did not conclude whether the relationship between sexual abuse and functioning was casual or bi-directional, but it highlighted the substantial risk for sexually abused children and adolescents in developing psychiatric disorders, emotional problems, and suicidal thoughts/attempts later in
I do not know the details of what happened, but she seems to be able to function in life despite everything that has happened to her. She experienced the death of her father at a young age and the hardship of living in poverty. She also experienced betrayal by someone she really trusted. Despite all that has happened in her life previously, she has still been able to form healthy relationships and be truly happy. In the past she may have experienced some symptoms of depression, but overall she hasn’t suffered much psychological distress despite the amount of trauma she has been through. It seems that her sexual abuse in childhood has had less of a negative impact on her mental health compared to others. I think her situation is somewhat rare compared to what a typical person that endures sexual abuse as a child would go through. Of course, there may be other contributing factors, but in many cases sexual abuse as a child can have a negative impact on mental health and future …show more content…
Results showed that victims that suffered child sexual abuse were more likely to experience significant impairments in functioning including depressive symptoms, psychiatric disorders, as well as suicidal ideation and attempt, compared to those who never experienced sexual abuse in childhood. Almost all female participants aged 15, that were sexually abused, documented having current suicidal thoughts, while 1 in 4 female participants’ aged 21 that were sexually abused had attempted suicide. The findings did not conclude whether the relationship between sexual abuse and functioning was casual or bi-directional, but it highlighted the substantial risk for sexually abused children and adolescents in developing psychiatric disorders, emotional problems, and suicidal thoughts/attempts later in