The Legacy of Sexual Abuse

Statistics say that some form of sexual abuse will happen to about one in four young girls.  Boys, too, are affected by sexual abuse.  The abusers can be trusted teachers or pastors, parents, grandparents, siblings or even other youth.  The degree of sexual abuse can be limited to being exposed to or can be as serious as rape.  Multiple events of sexual abuse are not uncommon.

Children of sexual abuse can begin to develop symptoms shortly after the abuse happens.  For example, the child can begin to stray away from friends and can become a loner.  Nightmares can begin at this time and may not go away without therapy.  Girls, especially, can begin cutting themselves.  Cutting or other forms of self harm are often caused by a history of sexual abuse.  Both boys and girls can become more sexually aggressive and act out sexually following the abuse.

The child of sexual abuse may identify with the abuser and may not turn to someone for safety.  The sexual abuse may not ever be reported.  In severe cases, the child represses all memories of the abuse and may develop a condition known as DID or dissociative identity disorder.  This condition used to be called multiple personality disorder and is more common in those who were abused over a period of time at a very young age.  In older children, they often develop post-traumatic stress disorder, in which they relive the events of the abuse in nightmares, develop a hyper-awareness and are easily startled. 

Many prostitutes have been victims of sexual abuse.  They develop a lack of pride in their body and turn to prostitution as a way to control sexual situations.  Normal sexual relationships are difficult for the sexual abuse victim.  Marriages often fail when one of the members has been a victim of past sexual abuse.

One of the only ways to get past the trauma of sexual abuse is to undergo a period of psychotherapy.  The therapy is directed toward reliving the memories of the abuse, restructuring the memories and resolving the issues that have come up since the abuse occurred.  Victims need to learn that the abuse was not their fault and that they are good people.  They need to learn new ways of coping and break habits of drug abuse, alcohol abuse or cutting.  Sometimes they need to attend group therapy and share their story with others who have gone through similar issues. 

It’s important that the legacy of sexual abuse doesn’t cross generations.  Perpetrators of sexual crimes were often once victims of a similar crime as a young person.  This is another reason why some type of therapy is important for abuse victims.  They need to talk about any impulses they may have to harm others and to redirect those thoughts toward behaviors which are healthier.  Sexual abuse takes a large toll on our society.  It shouldn’t take an even greater role because a sexual victim became a sexual perpetrator.  Help is available and is even available to those of lower incomes.