Impact On Children

What are the warning signs?

Child sexual exploitation isn’t always easy to spot and some survivors may not exhibit obvious warning signs. The perpetrator could be someone you’ve known a long time or trust, may make it even harder to notice.

Consider some of the following common warning signs:

Physical signs :

• Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area
• Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes
• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Frequent urinary or yeast
• Pain, itching, or burning in genital area

Behavioral signs:

• Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively
• Develops phobias
• Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
• Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents
• Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades
• Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors
• Nightmares or bed-wetting
• Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes
a caretaker role
• Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking
• Runs away from home or school
• Self-harms
• Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact

SOURCES : RAINN - Child Sexual Abuse

Long-Term Physiological Effects

PTSD

PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most common psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse. Studies show that PTSD related to this type of abuse is more likely to manifest in adulthood.

Some common signs of PTSD are :

• Reliving the event through flashbacks or memories
• Avoidance of intimacy or sexual relationships
• Emotional effects like numbness, fear, or shame
• Loss of memory of the event
• Hyperarousal - easily startled, difficulty with sleep and concentration

PTSD can also increase the likelihood of other issues like anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide.

Depression
Studies show that there is a significant correlation between childhood sexual abuse and adult depression. Depression can have a serious and overwhelming impact on the victim, and can last for short periods or years. If left untreated, it can lead victims to commit suicide.

Some common symptoms of depression are :

• Feelings of sadness or emptiness
• Anger or irritability
• Loss of interest in life activities
• Sleep disturbances, insomnia, or sleeping too much
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Overeating and weight gain
• Feelings of shame, worthlessness, and low self-esteem
• Cognitive difficulties – thinking, memory, recall
• Suicidal ideation or suicide attempts

Anxiety
Victims of CSA are also at risk of developing anxiety disorders both in childhood and adulthood. Severe anxiety requires medical intervention. If a person with severe anxiety does not receive treatment, the condition can worsen. Anxiety disorders can present itself in many different ways.

Some signs of an anxiety disorder are :

• Feelings of panic or danger
• Nervousness or restlessness
• Increased heart rate or breathing
• Overwhelming worry
• Sleep and cognitive issues

SOURCES: helpingsurvivors.org - Long-Term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse and Molestation

Long-Term Physical Effects

The physical effects of childhood sexual abuse are highly complex. Physical health consequences are closely tied to the psychological and behavioral health of a victim. Psychological symptoms can manifest as coping mechanisms for dealing with the unresolved trauma of sexual abuse in childhood.

Data shows that adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse are at higher risk of developing :

• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• STIs
• Teen pregnancy

In addition to these direct physical health consequences, the psychological, emotional, and behavioral effects further contribute to poor physical health and associated conditions.

Substance abuse poses a high risk to physical health, including an increased risk of :

• Lung disease
• Heart disease
• Liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Dental problems
• Nerve damage
• HIV
• Hepatitis C
• Heart infection
• Skin infection

Eating disorders lead to a wide range of serious physical health conditions, including :

• Starvation
• Malnutrition
• Cardiovascular problems
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Neurological issues
• Hormonal imbalance

SOURCES: helpingsurvivors.org - Long-Term Effects of Child Sexual Abuse and Molestation

How might a victim react?

Children who have been sexually abused may display a range of emotional and behavioral reactions, many of which are characteristic of children who have experienced other types of trauma.

These reactions include:

• An increase in nightmares and/or other sleeping difficulties
• Withdrawn behavior
• Angry outbursts
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Not wanting to be left alone with a particular individual(s)
• Sexual knowledge, language, and/or behaviors that are inappropriate for the child’s age

Although many children who have experienced sexual abuse show behavioral and emotional changes, many others do not.

It is therefore critical to focus not only on detection, but on prevention, intervention and communication — by teaching children about body safety and healthy body boundaries, and by encouraging open communication about sexual matters.

SOURCES: NCTSN - The National Child Traumatic Stress Network - Effects of Sexual Abuse