Childhood Sexual Abuse
Childhood sexual abuse rehabilitation is a serious issue. In this page we will investigate the benefits of childhood sexual abuse rehab centers as well as the treatment for childhood sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is the victim of childhood sexual abuse, we urge you to seek out childhood sexual abuse rehab centers in your area and find a rehabilitation center near you. Clinics, programs, and treatment options are readily available in your area.
Childhood sexual abuse involves the abuse of a person under the age of adulthood by an older child or adult. The age of adulthood includes those under the age of 18 in the United States. Childhood sexual abuse is a common problem that affects millions of people throughout the world. Sexual abuse is the result of adults or older adolescents abusing children sexually through various forms including verbal, physical, emotional, and with other types of childhood abuse.
Children that are coerced, asked, or manipulated to perform any type of sexual act are considered to be victims of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse may occur without physical contact, although abuse with physical contact is a common form of childhood sexual abuse. Any child can be susceptible to childhood sexual abuse, and as a result it is important that parents and others are aware of the signs of childhood abuse in order for the abuse to be intervened. Fast recognition is also important so that children can be treated as quickly as possible and for a prompt and successful criminal investigation.
Treatment of childhood sexual abuse involves different forms of psychotherapy and counseling to prevent future psychological difficulties or disorders. In many cases, PTSD, various types of anxiety disorders, and depression will be major struggles for victims of childhood sexual abuse if it is not recognized and treated early on. Adult victims of childhood abuse or sexual abuse may need to be treated for those disorders as well as substance abuse disorders. Child victims of childhood abuse or sexual abuse require various forms of psychotherapy and long term treatment in order to be stabilized and to avoid future disorders.
Symptoms of Childhood Sexual Abuse
The symptoms and signs of childhood sexual abuse can be spotted for the early recognition of abuse, and they vary between children depending on age and other factors. Signs of emotional or physical sexual abuse in children include a withdrawal personality, fearfulness without reason, not being attached to a parent or guardian, and acting like an adult or acting infantile. Some of the signs of physical sexual abuse might be bruises, welts, a child always being anxious or watchful, a child who shies away from physical contact, and wearing clothing to cover up cuts and marks.
Children who have been recently sexually assaulted may have difficulties with walking or have other physical injures that are not explained. They may later attempt to run away from home, display age inappropriate sexual interest or seductive behavior, a fear of changing clothing in front of others, and avoidance of specific people or particular circumstances. If a child displays any of these signs, they should be evaluated for sexual abuse by a physician and local authorities should be contacted. Also, these signs of childhood abuse are enough for an investigation by authorities who can determine if abuse has occurred.
The statistics for childhood sexual abuse as well as other forms of childhood abuse are quite shocking. 1 out of every 4 girls experiences sexual abuse before the age of 18. Furthermore, 1 out of every 6 boys is abused before the age of 18. 1 out of 5 children have been solicited for sex while on the internet. Almost 70 percent of reported sexual assaults are to children under the age of 18. With 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the United States, the problem is severe and widespread.
Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse
The effects of childhood sexual abuse can detrimental in the short term and long term. The effects of childhood abuse vary between individuals. Some experience severe psychological effects, especially those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse over a long period of time. Still, just one incident of abuse is enough to be severely traumatizing for a child. Some of the long term effects of childhood sexual abuse include: depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, decreased self-esteem, guilt, anger, a sense of loss, flashbacks to the abuse, and panic attacks.
Sexual difficulties may occur later in life such as a fear of hesitation with physical intimacy, having multiple partners or extra martial relationships, or difficulty reaching orgasm. Relationship problems may develop as a result of childhood abuse including difficulties trusting others, social withdrawal, and difficulty with communication. Victims of childhood abuse may have problems with parenting later in life such as fear of being a bad parent or excessive concern about their children. Women or men may also experience “damaged goods” syndrome in which they feel that they have become worthless after the abuse and have a negative body image as a result.
A person who has experienced childhood sexual abuse may feel fearful in general. Since the abuse is often accompanied by coercion or threats, fear is an instrument used by an abuser to control the victim. Even long after childhood abuse, a victim will often feel fearful or hesitant in a variety of circumstances. Victims of childhood abuse also feel helplessness, guilt, and somehow responsible for the abuse because the abuser will often use guilt as a means to manipulate a child.
Treatment for Childhood Sexual Abuse
Treatment for childhood sexual abuse involves several different methods. Disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression can be prevented in children if they are treated promptly and with the latest psychological therapy methods. Treatment is a complicated process because a treatment plan must be developed that is truly in the best interest of the child and is individualized for each child. It is recommended that those seeking treatment for victims of childhood sexual abuse seek the assistance of psychological therapy clinics or local rehab centers that can provide various forms of psychological counseling and several experts.
Treatment for a child victim of sexual abuse almost always involves a large team of experts. Treatment is typically part of an intervention that involves law enforcement authorities, child protective services, school counselors, those who have custody of the child, and psychological service providers. Each of these groups plays a role in the therapy and recovery of the child. Law enforcement investigators are trained to work with child victims as well as school counselors. Psychological therapy services may be provided by a clinic that can treat cases of childhood sexual abuse.
Therapy centers or clinics have on-site staff that are trained to deal with cases of childhood sexual abuse. For children, psychotherapy is the recommended treatment, and treatment typically occurs using family therapy and individual therapy methods that are facilitated and provided by various psychological experts. Therapy for an adult victim of childhood sexual abuse may include medications to treat related disorders such as depression and anxiety disorder and family, group, and individual psychotherapy therapy. Adults may request to stay in an inpatient facility as they are treated. They may also attend a rehab center if they require a substance abuse problem to be treated along with the trauma of their past childhood sexual abuse.
