NCJ Number
176611
Date Published
1998
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This overview of the research on child sexual abuse considers characteristics of the abuse experiences, the effects of sexual abuse, and children in the legal system.
Abstract
The characteristics of the sexual abuse vary from child to child. The variables include the identity of the perpetrator, the age of onset, the duration and frequency of the abuse, the severity of the sexual acts, and whether force was used. Children manifest a variety of short-term symptoms following sexual abuse. Sexualized behavior is the most common symptom of sexual abuse, but not all sexually abused children show it. Other conditions, such as fear or depression, can result from other childhood traumas and cannot be used to diagnose sexual abuse. There are seven domains in which long-term effects of child sexual abuse may manifest themselves: posttraumatic stress disorder, cognitive distortions, emotional distress, impaired sense of self, avoidance, interpersonal difficulties, and health problems. Specific problems that adult survivors face are depression, low self-esteem, substance abuse, eating disorders, and high-risk sexual behaviors. The final section of this paper focuses on the issue of allegations of sexual abuse and children's interactions with the legal system. 4 notes and 82 references