Most commonly, sexual abuse involves children and has serious implications for their long-term psychological welfare. In commonsense terms, we can define sexual abuse as inappropriate sexual contact forced on the child by an adult. The sexual contact can occur in many ways ranging from touching to intercourse. The long-term implications can be devastating for the child because the abuse amounts to a breach of trust or an abuse of vulnerability and frequently both. The children, therefore, come to regard the abuse as:
-an attack on their blossoming sexual identity
-a negation of their perception that the world is a safe place
-an undermining of their trust in other people
The consequences of the abuse affect the child in every way: the body, the emotions, the self-confidence, the ability to have normal relationships and so on. But among the most pressing issues that the child abuse survivor will have to deal with later in life have to with sexual behavior. These may include one or more of the following:
-Difficulty with arousal and experiencing sensations
-Unsettling Sexual thoughts and images
-promiscuity or sexually compulsive behavior
– Unable to reach orgasm
-erectile dysfunction
-fear of sex
-Guilt, disgust or other negative feelings when being touched:
Long-term medical effects could include:
-sleeplessness
-Eating Disorders
-Headaches
-harming or mutilating oneself
Psychological effects are:
-Anxiety
– A low sense of self-esteem
-Stress disorders – PTSD
-acute anxiety
-Substance abuse
There is safe medication available that can handle specific symptoms such as levitra for erectile dysfunction. Overall, what is needed is for the survivor to be surrounded by people who provide tender loving care and reinforce the desire to be healed. The healing process will be slow and the survivor must be encouraged to have confidence in him or herself. The survivor must also be made to realize that they are not alone and to take the help of support groups. Speaking out about experiences to a group of fellow sufferers can have a wonderful healing effect.
