Table of Contents
Abstract
Across America child have been sexually abused. There is a large number of research that has determined that this type of abuse can have adverse consequences for victims. The development of post-traumatic stress disorder after such a traumatic event is all too common. This paper seeks to focus on strategies aimed at preventing sexual abuse during childhood. The goal of primary prevention is to prevent from childhood sexual abuse from occurring. Keywords in this paper include: childhood sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Introduction
A child is sexually abused every 8 minutes, in the United States; that is 65,700 children annually. Alarmingly, only 6 out of every 1,000 offenders will serve a prison sentence (Rainn, 2018). Child sexual abuse (CSA) is classified as any sexual interaction with a child. Sexual interaction can be non-touching, touching, and vaginal or anal penetration. Non-touching acts are those such as exposing children to genitalia, pornography, photographing and/or filming a child for one’s sexual pleasure. When a person is under the age of 18, he or she cannot give legal consent for sexual interaction (Kirst-Ashmon & Hull, 2018). CSA occurs across all demographics: race, ethnicity, religion, sex, and socioeconomic status (Fergusson et al, 2013).
Depending upon the child, frequency, and severity of sexual abuse, there can be serious ramifications. CSA can lead to a variety of physical, mental, and behavioral disorders. These include low self-esteem, depression, peer relationship quality, increased sexual risk taking, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Sanchez et al., 2017). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders defines PTSD as a disorder that can occur in people who have been exposed to a devastating event (2013). These events could be, but not limited to, physical, mental, and/or sexual abuse. A person may develop PTSD by either experiencing or witnessing the event. In the United states, approximately 8% of the population is affected by PTSD. A child who is exposed to sexual abuse is four times more likely to develop PTSD in the future. (Cerulli, Burnette & Brown, 2015).
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Over the last thirty years, there has been a vast amount of research concerning CSA. Research provided by Fortin and Jenny (2012) and Rainn (2018) has determined that childhood sexual abuse is a common occurrence. CSA is one of the top studied Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the ramifications of such events can be disastrous for a growing child. Thus, the importance of preventing CSA. The overall focus of this paper is to bring awareness to CSA, learn to detect PTSD, and to prevent CSA before it occurs. CSA has the potential to affect a person throughout their life if left untreated. We can prevent CSA by using positive communication, and teaching children to have no secrets involving his or her body. In the event that a child is exposed to sexual abuse, it is important to learn the warning signs of CSA and PTSD, and the importance of seeking mental health treatment.
Body
The primary prevention methods that follow aim to prevent CSA before it occurs. Throughout my research I have discovered that there are numerous programs available to the public that aim to help others seek help when sexual abuse has occurred. Preventing the event would be more beneficial to everyone, from children and parents to medical professionals and social workers.
The first step in preventing CSA is to always practice positive communication with children no matter their age. Get to know the children in your life, by learning their likes and dislikes and typical behaviors. Make your children aware that you are interested in who they are and what they are doing. Screen those who you allow to be near children. In 93% or sexual abuse cases, the offender is known to the victim (Fortin and Jenny, 2012). The abuse is generally planned out over time with the use of “grooming” by the perpetrator. Grooming is when an offender works to build a friendship with a victim and establish trust. The offender will then begin to offer gifts and favors in exchange for keeping the secret of sexual interactions (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018).
Next, begin talking with your child about his or her body. Establish names that your family will use to identify private parts. Using names to identify body parts will help children to explain if there is an issue. Communicate with your child about behaviors that are acceptable and unacceptable. This includes creating clear boundaries, such as what a good touch is and what a bad touch is. Most importantly, it is important that there are no secrets concerning one’s body. Make sure that your child understands that they will not get into trouble for disclosing any “secret” of sexual abuse (Rainn, 2018).
Although the first two steps can work to prevent CSA, it may still happen. It is extremely important for everyone from parents and friends to school teachers and community leaders to recognize the signs and symptoms of CSA. These symptoms include frequent urinary tract infections, yeast infections, a sudden change in behavior, inappropriate sexual knowledge, and feeling uneasy with physical contact (Kirst-Ashmon & Hull, 2018).
It is important to medical attention right away, no matter how minimal the abuse appears. Due to the nature of the abuse, seeking the help from a mental health professional soon after is highly recommended (Fergusson, Geraldine, McLeod, & Horwood, 2013). The way in which we respond to the disclosure of sexual abuse, can influence the healing process. As hard as it may seem, try to stay calm and keep your composure. Actively listen to the child and be respectful of what he or she has to say (Kirst-Ashmon & Hull, 2018).
As discussed previously, CSA increases the likelihood of developing PTSD (Cerulli, Burnette, and Brown, 2015). It is important to note that PTSD may not occur until several years after the abuse (Hasan, 2018). According to Ashby and Kaul, most victims will not see a mental health provider (2016). This makes it important that primary care providers screen for PTSD during routine well check-ups. To prevent further injury, we must learn the symptoms of PTSD. According to Hasan, there are three main symptoms of PTSD: “reexperience, avoidance, and hyperarousal” (2018). Reexperiencing an event can come in the form of flashbacks and dreams. Avoiding certain behaviors or actions is common, something may remind the victim of a traumatic event causing he or she to avoid it altogether. Hyperarousal is the experience of increased anxiety in general life and different responses to everyday behaviors (Hasan, 2018).
Conclusion
Sexual abuse is an event that occurs daily across the United States. Evidence has shown that this abuse does not discriminate by any means. We know that CSA can lead to a variety of negative outcomes in life, beginning just days after the abuse and follow he or she into late adulthood. Preventing CSA has never been more important for our country.
Preventing CSA is not impossible if we all employ positive prevention strategies. We should learn to be an active parent or leader in a child’s life. Do not avoid conversations involving private parts. If parents or guardians do not talk to their children, someone else will. Learning the warning signs and symptoms of CSA can help us to discover potential abuse; while learning the signs and symptoms of PTSD can help us to seek the help of a mental health professional early. These prevention strategies can help lead us to a positive outcome.
CSA has been shown to increase a variety of negative outcomes later in life. These negative outcomes include increased risk of PTSD, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and suicide (Fergusson et al., 2013). Working together we can reduce the number of children affected by sexual abuse.
References
- American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. (5). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
- Ashby, B. & Kaul, P. (2016). Post-traumatic stress disorder after sexual abuse in adolescent girls. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 29(6), 531-536. Doi: 10.1016/j.j[ag.2016.01.127
- Cerulli, C., Burnette, M., & Brown, J. (2015) Correlations between sexual abuse histories, perceived danger and ptsd among intimate partner violence victims. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30 (15), 2709-2725. Doi: 10.1177/0886260514553629
- Fergusson, D., Geraldine, F., McLeod, L., & Horwood, J. (2013). Childhood sexual abuse and adult developmental outcomes: Findings from a 30-year longitudinal study in New Zealand. Child Abuse & Neglect, 37 (9), 664-674. Doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.03.013
- Fortin, K. & Jenny, C. (2012). Sexual abuse. Pediatrics in Review, 33(1). Retrieved from www.pedsinreview.aappublications.org/content/33/1/19
- Hasan, S. (2018). What is post-traumatic stress disorder. Kids Health. Retrieved from
- www.kidshealth.org/en/parents/ptsd.html
- Kirst-Ashmon, K. & Hull, G. (2018). Understanding Generalist Practice, (8), 261. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
- Rainn. (2018). Sexual abuse statistics. Rainn. Retrieved from www.rainn.org
- Sanchez, S., Pineda, O., Chaves, D., Zhong, Q. Gelaye, B., Simon, G…Williams, M. (2017). Childhood physical and sexual abuse experiences associated with post-traumatic stress disorder among pregnant women. Annals of Epidemiology, 27(11), 716-723. Doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.09.012
