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| Facts
to Consider |
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- Many survivors, estimates
are as high as 50%, do not remember the abuse until years
after it has occurred. Usually, something in adulthood will
trigger the memory. Some are never able to clearly recall
the abuse.
- Survivors often hold the distorted
belief that they are responsible for the abuse perpetrated
against them. This results in feelings of extreme guilt
and self-blame. Most abusers tell children that it is their
own fault they are being abused, shifting the blame away
from the abuser, where it belongs and placing it on the
child.
- A recent Canadian survey,
(1991) of women serving federal sentences in penitentiaries
notes that 53% of the women incarcerated stated that they
had been sexually abused at some stage in their lives, most
commonly during childhood or adolescence.
- Children with disabilities
are particularly at risk for sexual abuse. The risk of sexual
abuse is at least 50% higher for children with disabilities
than non-disabled children of similar age and gender.
- Numerous studies have discussed
the direct relationship between child sexual abuse and adolescent/adult
prostitution. The estimates range from 76-90% of prostitutes
having a history of child sexual abuse, the most common
form being incest (the sexual abuse of a child by a Family
member).
- Survivors are revealing in
increasing numbers that they have been victims of ritual
abuse. Studies indicate that this type of abuse, which is
characterized by repetitive and systematic severe sexual,
physical, psychological and spiritual abuse of children
is much more prevalent than originally believed. The aftereffects
are severe.
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| Common
Long-Term Effects |
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- Feelings of extremely low
self-esteem or self-hatred are common in survivors. Extreme
depression is something with which survivors also battle.
- Survivors often experience
frequent sleep disturbances and nightmares. Links have been
made between this and the fact that children are often sexually
abused in their rooms, in their own beds.
- Trust is a crucial issue for
many survivors throughout their lives. They were betrayed
by the very people who cared for them, who insisted they
loved them even while abusing them. Learning to trust can
be next to impossible under these circumstances.
- Survivors of childhood sexual
abuse are more likely to victims of abuse in their adulthood.
Re-victimization describes the process whereby women who
were sexually abused as children frequently find themselves
in abusive, dangerous situations or relationships as adults.
- Flashbacks can be frightening
experiences, not only for the survivors, but for those around
them. During a "flashback", the survivor experiences
the sexual abuse as if it were occurring at that moment.
Flashbacks are often triggered by an event, action, or even
a smell that is reminiscent of the sexual abuse or the abuser.
- Dissociation refers to the
ability to escape stressful or harmful situations by creating
another place of the mind to go. The intense pain of sexual
abuse creates a situation where the victim, in order to
cope, must try to dissociate from her body to leave the
situation the only way she can.
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| Who
is an Adult Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse? |
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An individual
who was sexually abused as a child is an adult survivor of child
sexual abuse. This abuse may have had long-term effects on the
survivor's life. In most instances, the victim of the abuse
never discussed the abuse with others while it was occurring.
This individual is learning now, as an adult to deal with the
effects of the abuse.
The term "survivor" is used, instead of the term "victim",
because the individual has survived the childhood sexual abuse.
The term is used in recognition of the strengths of the individual
who has survived.
CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE: occurs when a child is used for the
sexual gratification of an older adolescent or adult. It also
involves the abuse of power that an adult has over a child.
The sexual abuse may be used by the adult as a means of fulfilling
his need to be powerful.
Sexual abuse occurs across all communities regardless or race,
religion, cultural heritage, social or economic status.
98.5% of abusers are male and most victims are female. However,
it is important to recognize that boys and male adolescents
are also sexually abused. Male survivors may recognize some
their experiences as similar to those of female survivors. |
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| How
Widespread is the Problem? |
It is
estimated that about 1 in 2 females and 1 in 3 males have been
victims of unwanted sexual acts. 4 in 5 of these acts were committed
against the person as a child' or youth.
If, you are dealing with the effects of child sexual abuse,
please remember that you are not responsible for the abuse.
No one ever deserves to be abuses. As an adult, you can overcome
the effects the abuse may have on your life. |
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