...Sexual Abuse in Children Heather Sellers Composition and Communications II Abstract Sexual abuse in children has been discussed many times. However, not a lot of people really pay attention to what is being said. In this paper I plan to discuss how many cases of abuse is actually reported. I also plan to discuss how many perpetrators are known by the victim, why a person would become a sex offender and how a victim’s life is changed. I will discuss how the cycle of abuse works, and the different disorders that are caused. By the end of this paper I plan to have informed you all of the dangers of sexual abuse. I also plan to have you all more aware of the people you and your family and friends spend their time with. Sexual abuse has always been a problem in the world, but many people believe the worst is sexual abuse in children. Sexual abuse in children has become a major issue over the years and has proven to cause many disorders, future problems in relationships, and trust issues. There are also many different reasons someone will become an abuser and there are many effects that can come from being sexually assaulted. According to www.victimsofcrime.org studies by David Finkelhor, Director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center,...
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...Sexual Abuse of Children Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult uses a child to satisfy their sexual urges (M. Campbell, personal communication, February 8, 2010). There is a “Progression of Sexual Abuse” when it comes to how an abuser chooses and then abuses their victim (Crosson-Tower, 2008, p. 125). The process begins with grooming, a term which implies how an abuser focuses on a specific child by giving them special attention in order to gain their trust (M. Campbell, personal communication, February 8, 2010). Once the perpetrator has the child’s trust, they are able to see how far the child’s comfort zone extends by trying out different things which progress, maybe just touching all the way to sexual intercourse. Sexual abuse then progresses to pressured and/or forced sex by making the child feel trapped within the abusive relationship (Crosson-Tower, 2008). The abuser traps the child by making them feel guilty or blackmailing them, threatening to hurt them or their family (M. Campbell, personal communication, February 8, 2010). Finally, secrecy, disclosure and suppression can either liberate the child, or further entrap them. With secrecy, the child keeps the abuse a secret, whether forcibly or on their own accord. Secrecy on the part of the child may be because they are being blackmailed or because they are afraid it is their fault. Despite disclosure of the abuse to an adult, sometimes the child’s cries for help are suppressed by the person they disclosed to. If a...
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...CHILDREN AND SEXUAL ABUSE Introduction There are several sociological and psychological issues that are pressing in society today. These lead to traumatic events among children and adults and result in those who are in society needing to recover in a specific manner. A continuing issue in society is sexual abuse among children. This particular problem is one, which has caused several levels of difficulty among those in society while making an impact with the need to respond with the aim of eliminating the trauma of sexual abuse. Defining the social and psychological terms of sexual abuse as well as understanding the societal structures that are a component of this provides more insight into the problem. As sexual abuse among children is understood, there is the ability to begin to eliminate the problem while creating new methods to help those that have experienced this traumatic event. Defining Sexual Abuse To understand sexual abuse among children, there is also the need to define the nature of the problem as well as the affiliations that are a part of this act. The nature of this problem is one, which is defined through sociological beliefs and associations with sexual activities. Sexual abuse is defined as any intimate activity, which relates to sexual activities. The definition implies that there is physical, emotional and behavioral links to sexuality that is performed by two or more individuals. In acts of sexual abuse, an individual is regarded as a perpetrator...
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...Sexual abuse in children and teens. From 2009-2013, CPS agencies found strong evidence to indicate that 63000 children a year were victims of sexual abuse. Most people don't understand why someone would want to rip the innocence from a child. Most perpetraitors end up in prison. Child sexual abuse is when someone innapropiately touches a child. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity. When someone engages with a child in this way, they are commiting a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim. Child sexual abuse is not always physical contact. Some forms of child sexual abuse are: fondling, intercourse, sex trafficking, exhibitionism, obscene phone calls or messages, also owning pornagraphic images or videos of a minor. This is usally seen in rural areas of low income single parent families with a love in partner and with multiple children. Physical abuse is also seen, and this is when disciplinary actions get out of hand. In serious cases the parent or guardian is removed and the child is placed with a family member or foster family for the time being. After a child is placed in the system there are services provided to the families that need assistance with the protection and care of the child. The system arranges adoption or permanent family conection for the child once they leave foster...
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...Child Sexual Abuse Kenny Orr 12/5/11 Mrs. Walters Green Child sexual abuse can happen anywhere, in any neighborhood, in every religion or group, covering all racial or ethnic groups, and it certainly doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are. You can live in a beautiful, gated-community of homes worth millions of dollars, and your child is still not protected from being molested or abused. (Child Sexual Abuse, April 3, 2008) Child sexual abuse is the use of a child for sexual purposes by an adult or older, more powerful person, including an older child. Being sexually abused is not any easy thing to overcome (CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. (2002). The pain that comes along with the abuse it not just physical abuse but mental abuse. The first step of this happening is being able to understand the different types of sexual abuse. The second step to stop this is to learn the effects of sexual abuse. The third step of ending this terrible problem that is on a rise is how can you spot sexual abuse before it is to late. If nothing is done to stop this, childhood abuse it will continue to rise with many consequences in the future for the abusers and the perpetrators. Child sexual abuse is a significant public health problem not only in the United States but also around the world. One out of three females and one out of five males have been victims of sexual abuse before the age of eighteen. (CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE. (2002). There are many different types of child sexual...
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...Domestic Violence - HUS 201 | The Catholic Church-Child Sexual Abuse Scandal | 14 December 2013 | The Catholic Church – Child Sexual Abuse Scandal Throughout many decades, there has been a scandal circulating, which many found disturbing, abusive, and mistrusting. Throughout many decades, there has been a scandal circulating, which many found disturbing, abusive, and mistrusting. Religion is a “set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially whenconsidered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional andritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs (Dictionary.com).” Many individuals across the world practice the Catholic religion. According to BCC World News in the article, How Many Roman Catholics Are There in the World?, there are an estimated 1.2 billion practicing Catholics around the world. In this paper, you are going to learn about the findings within the past of child sexual abuse within the Catholic church, the history of the abuse, who was affected by this problems, and future solutions. Nationally, there has been an epidemic against child sexual abuse within the Catholic church. This abuse is arising from all of the world including, but not limited to, Australia, The United States of America, Brazil, and Italy. This abuse has been happening for a long time. In the book, Father Thomas Doyle, alongside former monks Richard...
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...of Childhood Sexual Abuse Shobila Kaligounder Marymount University Introduction As per UNICEF’s (2014) definition, sexual violence against children comprises any sexual activities imposed by an adult on a child against which the child is entitled to protection by criminal law. This includes: (a) The inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful or psychologically harmful sexual activity; (b) The use of children in commercial sexual exploitation; (c) The use of children in audio or visual images of child sexual abuse; and (d) Child prostitution, sexual slavery, sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation (within and between countries), sale of children for sexual purposes and forced marriage. Sexual activities are also considered as abuse when committed against a child by another child if the offender is significantly older than the victim or uses power, threat or other means of pressure. Consensual sexual activities between children are not considered as sexual abuse if the children are older than the age limit defined by the State Party. In spite of a clear definition for child sexual abuse violence in the lives of children is so real and as an international community we do very little to protect them. There is also a dearth of data to prove the prevalence of violence due to the hidden nature of the abuse and gives a false notion that it is a rare occurrence. Children are vulnerable to sexual victimization...
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...Sexually Abused Children Who Exhibit Sexual Behavior Problems: Victimization Characteristics Samantha Chromy, PhD The recognition of sexual behavior problems (SBP) in children has implications for child protection. Research needs to focus on identifying factors that indicate and contribute to the development of SBP. SBP is a common aftereffect of sexual abuse, but not all sexually abused children develop SBP. The child’s experience of abuse is thought to impact the development of SBP. This study used a retrospective chart review of the clinical records of 125 children who received services at a counseling center specializing in sexual abuse concerns. The children who exhibited SBP and those who did not were compared on variables related to their experience of sexual abuse. Analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the two groups on the frequency and the age of onset of abuse. The children who exhibited SBP were abused with more frequency and at a younger age than those who did not. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 7:25–33 (2007)] KEY WORDS: sexual, abuse, children, behavior, behavior problems, victim. There is increased awareness that childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated not only by adult offenders but also by children (Araji, 1997). Many adult and adolescent offenders began perpetrating or displayed sexual behavior problems (SBP) at young ages (Araji, 1997; Burton, 2000). Data from child protection agencies have indicated that 40% of all childhood...
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...uncle. I watched from my room as my parents drove away and the fear began. I entered the room to watch TV with my uncle. He put in a video of a sexual nature, as I get up to leave the room, he makes me stay. He touches me; I tried to get away but was over powered. Then it happens again, the sexual abuse and I was afraid to tell and face the consequences if I did. Child sexual abuse, is one of the most traumatic and devastating crimes with far reaching and sometimes, lifelong and lasting negative effects. It encompasses a wide spectrum of conditions and situations that at times may be difficult to delineate clearly and separately. Child sexual abuse is usually found in combinations rather than alone. Child sexual abuse is a problem of epidemic proportion in the United States as well as worldwide with many cases going unreported. Every day more than four children die as a result of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is a crime that does not discriminate; it crosses all ethnic, social economic and racial lines. Key words: Effect, psychological, Self-Esteem, Child Sexual Abuse The Federal Government has established a very broad definition of child sexual abuse but has left it up to each state as to specific and detailed provisions. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment (CAPTA) amendments of 1996 defines child sexual abuse as * The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticements, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage...
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...Child Sexual Abuse – Past, Present and Future Donna Hurst University of the Cumberlands HSOL 331 April 13, 2013 ABSTRACT This paper explores the issue of child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of a child has become a major social issue in not only the United States but the entire world. It is imperative that society learns all they can about this issue. As a whole, society needs to discover the indicators of sexual abuse, the appropriate ways to report suspected abuse and how to help those that have been abused so they are not continually victimized by their past. This paper will explore child abuse and child sexual abuse in six parts. The first part will begin with the earliest references of child abuse as a whole. The second part will continue on to the emergence of the issue of child abuse on the social and political scene. The third part of this paper will show when and how sexual abuse first became recognized as part of the child abuse issue. The fourth part of this paper will move into the effects of child sexual abuse. The fifth part will cover child sexual abuse intervention methods and the sixth part will focus on the treatments available to help victims in the present as well as the future. PART ONE: CHILD ABUSE’S PAST In the ancient world, infanticide was common practice in nearly all cultures. Children were killed at birth if they did not seem fit. Fathers were permitted to kill their newborns if they deemed the child was abnormal. Children that showed signs...
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...The Unknown Predator: “Child Sexual Abuse” Denise Parnell Professor: Lisa Smoot Sociology January 29, 2012 Child Sexual Abuse Abstract: Child sexual abuse encompasses a wide, variety of abuses acts or experiences involving children private body parts. Sexual abuse is question when a child disclosure of intrafamily child abuse is complex. Child sexual abuse is more than bruises and broken bones. Physical abuse might be the most visible sign, other types of abuse such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse or child neglect, also leave deep long lasting scars. Child sexual abuse happens in situations where the child trusts or is dependent on the offender. People who sexually abuse children do so in order to meet their own needs. Some forms of sexual abuse involve physical contact. These include masturbation, intercourse, fondling, oral sex, and anal or vaginal penetration with objects. Other types of sexual abuse, such as exhibitionism, leering, and sexual suggestiveness, do not involve physical contact. Most children are too young and are unable to consent. Most children are abused by someone they know and trust. Abusers need not be strangers. They can be anyone in a position of power or trust: fathers, uncles, cousins, stepfathers, siblings, mothers, teachers, babysitters, neighbors, grandparents, peers, clergy, or doctors. And contrary to thinking family structure does play a part in abuse. That is, not all types of family structure are the same, and some are more likely...
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...Abstract Although sexual abuse is recognized as a serious violation of human well-being and of the law, no community has yet developed the mechanisms that ensure none of their youth will be sexually abused. Child sexual abuse is, sadly, an international problem of great magnitude that can affect children of all ages, sexes, races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes. Upon invitation, this current publication aims at providing a brief overview of a few lessons we have learned from child sexual abuse research as to heighten awareness of mental health professionals on this utmost important and widespread social problem. This overview will focus on different kinds of sexual abuse throughout my paper. Keywords: Child sexual abuse; Review; Prevalence; Mental health outcomes; Prevention Sign up to receive new article alerts from Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental HealthSign up Sexual abuse remains a challenging topic which can be difficult to talk about. Sexual abuse refers to any action that pressures or coerces someone to do something sexually they don't want to do. Sexual abuse can be listed in different categories such as child abuse and rape. Studies show that Florida, Ohio, California and Kentucky have the highest percent of child abuse and rape. There is still a lot we don’t know about the extent of people being abused. Sexual abuse is the most harmful and immoral criminal act, many children have been abused by their close relatives, and most...
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...Child Sexual Abuse in the United States and Its Long Term Effects Abstract This will be a paper to demonstrate the staggering number of sexual abuse cases in the United States and its long term effects on children and adults. My interest in this topic is due to the fact that I have been sexually abused as a child and have been researching about the long term effects in people who do not come forward with this problem. Many people have been able to recover from the damaging effects of sexual abuse, however, many still suffer from past memories and present debilitations. This paper aims to expose 5 facts about sexual abuse in children as well as statistics, adverse effects, prevention strategies, how homosexuality can be traced back to child abuse, how to recognize if your child has been abused, and reasons why people abuse children. I will also share some of my personal experiences in order to help the reader understand the damaging effect that child sex abuse has on a child and how it evolves into worse acts if not treated quickly. Child Sexual Abuse in the United States and its Long Term Effects Child sexual abuse is a form of abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual purposes. These purposes can range from sexual activity regardless of outcome, exposure to pornographic materials, and even to produce child pornography. It is the one crime that can occur anywhere whether it be school, playgrounds, work, and home. In a way, children who are abused...
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...one week of report writing. Regional working group members of Save the Children Sweden - Denmark (SCSD) in the respective countries took the responsibility for identifying and contacting organisations and individuals who are working to combat CSA, particularly those providing psychosocial support to children affected by abuse. A total of 34 organisations and individuals were met. Six days were spent in each country, except in Afghanistan, where only three days were spent. The six locations were Peshawar, Islamabad and Karachi. Organisations met included those working on child sexual exploitation and sexual health, and those working with communities of street children, MSM (men who have sex with men), and trafficked women and girls. Many groups could not be visited due to time limitations. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), university psychology departments, community-based organisations (CBOs), international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and donor agencies, as well as independent research consultants and a theatre animator | | | were amongst the contacts met. Interviews were held | | | with those at management level, heads of organisations, | | | coordinators of child protection units, trainers, | | | programme officers, field workers, therapists and | | | counsellors. Wherever possible, counsellors, therapists | | | and caregivers working directly with children were | | | interviewed. | 1 | | | | | Objectives The objectives...
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