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Childhood Sexual Abuse

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The sexual abuse of children has been given a lot more recognition in the last few decades. Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can be defined as any sexual contact with a child through the use of coercion or deceit to secure the child’s participation or any sexual contact with a child incapable of consent. (Finkelhor, 1985) CSA has a long-term impact on several health and social indicators; a study found that survivors of trauma are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and substance abuse. (Felitti and Anda, 2010) The extent of damage to well-being and functioning differs widely among CSA survivors. However, some adult survivors go on to rise above the abuse and shame to live successful lives. They build an affluent career, …show more content…
The brain forms memories of these figures and associates them with particular emotions, motives and goals. (Gillath, 2008) It gives everyone a unique perspective of life and the role he or she plays in it. Every interaction helps mold a child’s core belief. This allows a person to determine if he or she is worthy of love and support and whether others are trustworthy and available later in life. Among children who experience abuse, they are more likely to experience dilemmas of insecure attachment. (Lamont, 2010) This is evident in one of Finkelhor’s theme betrayal. Betrayal can be defined as a child’s awareness that an attachment figure they depend on can cause them harm or abuse their position as the protector. This aspect can manifest through insecure attachment types, because the caregiver becomes a source of danger or harm. (Lamont, 2010) For instance, if a child grows up unable to depend on a caregiver for love and protection, they may turn inward and not express emotions for fear of retaliation, thus developing an avoidant attachment pattern. On the contrary, an inconsistent parenting environment where there is a lack of response to the child can make him or her feel unworthy of love. Therefore, they can develop extreme dependency and clinginess, properties of preoccupied attachment pattern. (Tatkin, 2007) These attachment types can lead to the inability to get as close as …show more content…
He or she could indulge in self-mutilation to regain a sense of power over their body. Others may seek attention by being a “problem” child, an overachiever, being excessively orderly or eager to please others. The habits developed to cope in the past can become very problematic in the future. Feeling powerlessness and out of control, can cause a CSA survivor to overcompensate. He or she must control everything in his or her interaction with another human being to perceive safety. Sometimes he or she will not even be able to put their feelings into words. Survivors with more of an avoidant attachment will constantly stone wall with intimate partners to bypass dealing with the stress. This can lead to contempt, because he or she may feel that, their partner is incapable of alleviating any of their

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