Child Sexual Abuse: What are the consequences to the child? (Research Paper Sample)

Consequences of Child Sexual Abuse
Student’s Name
Institution
What is child sexual abuse? What are the consequences to the child? Who are the main perpetrators of child sexual abuse? Can it be treated effectively?
Child sexual abuse, herein referred to as CSA, describes any form of sexual interaction between a child and an older perpetrator. CSA includes inappropriate and unwanted sexual solicitation and exposure of the child by an older person. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) explains that CSA includes both contact and non-contact behaviors. Under contact behaviors the child may be exposed to inappropriate touching on body parts such as reproductive organs and other body parts as well as actual sexual intercourse. On the other hand, the non-contact CSA entail behaviors such as voyeurism and the child’s exposure to pornography (National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), 2015). This research paper briefly looks into the child sexual abuse as a thorn in modern societies focusing keenly on CSA’s consequences to the child, the main perpetrators, and how it can be treated effectively.
According to NCTSN, one in every four girls suffers from CSA compared to one in every six boys and the abuse takes place before the child reaches the age of eighteen years. What breaks most hearts is that the perpetrators of these heinous acts are not often strangers but person whom we can refer to as members of the child’s circle of trust. In fact, statistics have it that more than 75% of the reported cases of CSA are orchestrated by family members or other persons that the child trusts and looks up to. From the definition of CSA, the perpetrator is on many occasions a person older than the child with the child representing anybody below the age of eighteen but it is also important to note here that it can also happen between children in the same age bracket. In that case, both children would benefit from counseling (National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), 2015).
Many cases of CSA go unreported. This is so because the perpetrators will on many occasions not use force but rather use coercive and manipulative antics such as deception, games, and threats. In the absence of the use of force and inappropriate contact the child may not perceive CSA as abuse and it is in the hands of the guardians to note any behavioral changes in the children and try to get them to talk about. However, there are a few factors that may make it difficult for the child to disclose sexual abuse and these may include threats to life and bodily harm, shame, fear of the unknown, and guilt. Nevertheless, the guardian may detect trouble if the child indicates sign for fright for being left with a certain person, unusual knowledge about sexual matters, depression, anxiety, and even withdrawal behaviors. Owing to the probable difficulty in telling that a child has been abused sexually, it befalls upon the guardians to take up preventive measures and protect their children from any possible harm (National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), 2015).
Child sexual abuse can be the cause of a child’s life’s lowest moment. It leaves them with both visible and invisible wounds and while the physical wounds can be easily treated by use of medicines, the emotional distraught can torment the child for years and in some cases it exacerbates to the child’s adult life. According to retrospective research on this topic, CSA leads to a myriad of mental disorders ranging from acute depression, panic disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The children may turn to drug and alcohol abuse and even record several suicidal attempts. In the long-run, the child may be unable to comprehend what healthy sex entails and may have difficulties having sexual relationships in future making it difficult to even get into a family once they become of age. In other words, child sexual abuse is mostly a draining and confusing experience that can simply ruin the child’s life if not properly diagnosed and treated (Andrews, Corry, Slade, Issakidis, & Swanston, 2015).
While preventive measures are the best and most fulfilling option, at times it happens and it is at this point that intervention programs become necessary. Fortunately, child sexual abuse can be dealt w...