![]() ![]() Their ability to trust adults to take care of them may also be jeopardized. Those who have suffered multiple traumas and received little parental support may develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Depending on the severity of and number of traumas experienced, child sexual abuse can have wide-reaching and long-lasting effects. Research has repeatedly shown that child sexual abuse can have a very serious impact on physical and mental health, as well as later sexual adjustment. Self-cutting and suicidal behaviors are also more common among adolescents. A teenager avoiding traumatic reminders may withdraw socially. Teenagers might be more likely to abuse substances or engage in high-risk behaviors, including indiscriminant sexual behavior. The child might talk about her body as being “hurt” or “dirty.”Īs children grow into adolescence and develop more autonomy, the difficulties they can get into may be more serious. The child might engage in age-inappropriate sexual behavior such as trying to engage another child in oral-genital contact or simulated intercourse. You might see other signs of stress, an increase in oppositional or withdrawn behavior, tantrums, or nightmares. The play may or may not be specific to the sexual abuse. For example, a child may act out running away from a “bad man” over and over again. Very young children might engage in traumatic play in which the child re-enacts some aspect of the experience. It is therefore critical to focus not only on detection, but on prevention and communication-by teaching children about body safety and healthy body boundaries, and by encouraging open communication about sexual matters. Sexual knowledge, language, and/or behaviors that are inappropriate for the child’s ageĪlthough many children who have experienced sexual abuse show behavioral and emotional changes, many others do not.Not wanting to be left alone with a particular individual(s).An increase in nightmares and/or other sleeping difficulties.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. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |