Childhood Sexual Abuse and its effect on Mental and Physical Development

All kinds of abuse can become detrimental and have long-term effects on victims, especially children. This happens because they are in their early mental and physical development stages. Any interference with development, especially interference such as abuse, would have profound consequences on a child. In this article, we will be exploring the mental effects of sexual abuse on children in our society.

According to a report, one in nine girls and one in fifty-three boys under the age of eighteen experienced sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult; the impacts on victims can result to the following;

• Victims are about four times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse
• More likely to experience PTSD as adults
• Three times more likely to experience major depressive episodes as adults

It's essential for victims or friends of those affected to find proper mental well-being support.

 

What are the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

 

Childhood sexual abuse can have huge impacts on affected persons, especially their relationships with other people. Examples of such impacts are;

• High levels of distrust
• Difficulty maintaining relationships
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low self-esteem,
• Poor physical health
• Increased risk of developing several health disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

 

Difficulties in Maintaining close Relationships

  When sexually abused as a child, it can become complex to develop and maintain close relationships. This can make survivors find it harder to discuss the abuse with their partners or others. The experience can make offering help and support to them almost impossible. Present relationships and future could result in the survivor being reminded of their experience. This can also make intimate moments in such a relationship hurtful and scary, fearing reliving the abusive moment.

 

If a relationship does not have trust or communication, it is more likely to fail than one with it. Hence, you need to know that not opening up, communicating, and trusting your partner will make creating a relationship more delicate than it would be for others. It will also affect other relationships with siblings, parents, and friends as trust will be difficult to gain or maintain.

Low Self Esteem

Recent research has connected child sexual abuse with feelings of low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and distrust. This reveals that sexual abuse has several negative consequences on victims' emotional well-being. Apart from its effect on emotional well-being, day-to-day life and mental health are severely affected, which has reverberations on how an individual views life. All of the symptoms mentioned above can make your life and others in your life extremely tough to get through. However, this does not mean it's impossible to have a successful life. On the contrary, receiving the proper treatment and therapy at the right time can hugely benefit survivors.

 

Poor Physical Health

The physical health of a person sexually abused as a child may also be hugely impacted. Research suggests that those who have been abused may have poorer physical health than those who have not. In addition, the effects of constant abuse can lead to the development of sexually transmitted diseases, internal and external injuries. Finally, issues such as trouble with the reproductive system and childbirth are also linked to childhood sexual abuse later in life.

 

In relation to pain, researchers have discovered through various studies that survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are at greater risk of developing headaches, backaches, muscle aches, fibromyalgia, joint pain, and general pain than those without such history.

 

If you or someone you know has been or may be sexually abused, there are centers where you can get help. In addition, you can contact local mental health services, emergency services, victim support charities, and many other services. It is definitely hard reaching out for help for many reasons. Still, support will always be there for you whenever you are ready.

 

Written by: Kieran Wilson