Introduction
In this world, we are constantly battling with the injustice of sexually abused individuals. Today, many females are left with by-products of abuse which they suffered throughout their lives. "The lifetime experience of 17-year-olds with sexual abuse and sexual assault was 26.6% for girls and 5.1% for boys" (Finkelhor, Shattuck, Turner and Hamby). I believe the value of each soul is priceless and that we are able to contribute to their health.
So, many of us ask, what can each of us do to better the lives of victims which suffer from sexual abuse? Officials are exploring different kinds of methods to diminish this continuing epidemic. As a result of sexual abuse, females undergo psychological, emotional and physical health issues which affect their well-being.
I. First, psychological symptoms were proven to be effects of sexual abuse. There are various events that occur in a person's life that influence our mind through a thinking process. When this process is guided in a hurtful manner, the body reacts in different ways.
A. The behavior of victims of sexual abuse is transformed.
1. "Frequently reported long-term effects include depression and self-destructive behavior, anxiety..." (Finkelhor). Such psychological mistreatment stimulates a self-harm mentality because of feelings of depression and lack of care.
The behavior of each victim will vary and expand as other issues arise.
2. "Other behavioral reactions to sexual abuse include such problems as aggression toward people and animals, running away, self-harm (cutting or burning), criminal activity, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, hyperactivity, sleep problems, eating problems, and toileting problems" ("Child Welfare Information Gateway"). There are always consequences to their reactions, in the end resulting in more anguish and a corrupt psychological cycle.
B. Second, the mentality of victims of sexual exploitation is mired. When a child or person is traumatized over and over again, the body is eventually confused and psychological issues arise.
1. "The findings suggest that substantial mental health morbidity in the general child and adolescent population is associated with victimization" (Boney-McCoy and Finkelhor).
Therefore, personal relationships between the victim and others are unnatural, especially if the connection between the victim and the abuser is familial.
2. "Adult women with a history of incest exhibit a clinical syndrome that includes low self-esteem, difficulty in intimate relationships, and repeated victimization" (Herman).
Future relationships in victims' lives are oppressed, because of the metal struggle that is battled throughout diverse events.
II. Furthermore, victims are left with emotional issues as a consequence to sexual manipulation.
A. Sufferers have various reactions to the abuse that was transpired. Feelings of self-blame play a major role.
1. "Victims may also feel guilty for not having stopped the sexual abuse as well as for any positive aspects of the abuse, such as physical pleasure, the special attention given by the offender, or an opportunity to have control over other family members..." ("Child Welfare Information Gateway").
Likewise, there is sensitivity to similar events that cause remembrance of the experienced trauma.
2. "The victim develops phobic reactions to the event, the offender, and to other aspects of the abuse" ("Child Welfare Information Gateway").
B. Moreover, victims turn to substance misuse as a way of coping with the sexual abuse they encountered.
1. "Clinical studies have found elevated rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in women seeking treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, and elevated rates of alcohol and drug disorders among female psychiatric patients with histories of CSA" (Harris, Klassen, Vogeltanz and Wilsnack).
Dealing with the negative emotional aspect of sexual abuse is commonly done by use of something that will aid in forgetting or feeling better about it.
2. "The abuse of substances can act as an escape from the intense waves of feelings, the terror and helplessness" ("RAINN").
III. Finally, there are physical health problems in women that have suffered from sexual misuse.
A. Following years of sexual trauma, the body's fight for defense decreases and the effects are evident.
1. "Researchers, who tracked a group of girls ranging in age from 6 to 16... found that they had higher rates of depression and obesity, as well as problems with regulation of brain chemicals, among other issues, compared to a control group of girls who were not abused" (Raymond, 2011).
2. "But by about age 15, testing showed that cortisol levels were below normal, compared to the control group. Lower levels of cortisol have been linked to a decrease in the body's ability to deal with stress..." (Raymond, 2011).
3. "Fears, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), behavior problems, sexualized behaviors, and poor self-esteem occurred most frequently among a long list of symptoms noted, but no one symptom characterized a majority of sexually abused children" (Finkelhor, Kendall-Tackett and Williams).
B. To add, mental health disorders are byproducts of ongoing sexual abuse.
1. "In some children this anxiety and phobias become pervasive and crippling because of the level of avoidance they engage in to reduce their stress" ("Child Welfare Information Gateway").
2. "Substance abuse and suicidal behaviour were also more commonly reported by the abused group" (Anderson, Herbison, Martin, Mullen and Romans).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are multiple factors that contribute to sexual abuse that need to be addressed. Neglecting the signs of abuse and avoiding confrontation leads to ongoing concerns. Many of us are unaware that injustice plays a dynamic role in the personal lives of countless females today. With sufferings of psychological, emotional and physical effects, life is a tremendous struggle for victims of sexual abuse. With an energetic hope and strive to provide relief to these broken souls, a difference is sure to be made.
In this world, we are constantly battling with the injustice of sexually abused individuals. Today, many females are left with by-products of abuse which they suffered throughout their lives. "The lifetime experience of 17-year-olds with sexual abuse and sexual assault was 26.6% for girls and 5.1% for boys" (Finkelhor, Shattuck, Turner and Hamby). I believe the value of each soul is priceless and that we are able to contribute to their health.
So, many of us ask, what can each of us do to better the lives of victims which suffer from sexual abuse? Officials are exploring different kinds of methods to diminish this continuing epidemic. As a result of sexual abuse, females undergo psychological, emotional and physical health issues which affect their well-being.
I. First, psychological symptoms were proven to be effects of sexual abuse. There are various events that occur in a person's life that influence our mind through a thinking process. When this process is guided in a hurtful manner, the body reacts in different ways.
A. The behavior of victims of sexual abuse is transformed.
1. "Frequently reported long-term effects include depression and self-destructive behavior, anxiety..." (Finkelhor). Such psychological mistreatment stimulates a self-harm mentality because of feelings of depression and lack of care.
The behavior of each victim will vary and expand as other issues arise.
2. "Other behavioral reactions to sexual abuse include such problems as aggression toward people and animals, running away, self-harm (cutting or burning), criminal activity, substance abuse, suicidal behavior, hyperactivity, sleep problems, eating problems, and toileting problems" ("Child Welfare Information Gateway"). There are always consequences to their reactions, in the end resulting in more anguish and a corrupt psychological cycle.
B. Second, the mentality of victims of sexual exploitation is mired. When a child or person is traumatized over and over again, the body is eventually confused and psychological issues arise.
1. "The findings suggest that substantial mental health morbidity in the general child and adolescent population is associated with victimization" (Boney-McCoy and Finkelhor).
Therefore, personal relationships between the victim and others are unnatural, especially if the connection between the victim and the abuser is familial.
2. "Adult women with a history of incest exhibit a clinical syndrome that includes low self-esteem, difficulty in intimate relationships, and repeated victimization" (Herman).
Future relationships in victims' lives are oppressed, because of the metal struggle that is battled throughout diverse events.
II. Furthermore, victims are left with emotional issues as a consequence to sexual manipulation.
A. Sufferers have various reactions to the abuse that was transpired. Feelings of self-blame play a major role.
1. "Victims may also feel guilty for not having stopped the sexual abuse as well as for any positive aspects of the abuse, such as physical pleasure, the special attention given by the offender, or an opportunity to have control over other family members..." ("Child Welfare Information Gateway").
Likewise, there is sensitivity to similar events that cause remembrance of the experienced trauma.
2. "The victim develops phobic reactions to the event, the offender, and to other aspects of the abuse" ("Child Welfare Information Gateway").
B. Moreover, victims turn to substance misuse as a way of coping with the sexual abuse they encountered.
1. "Clinical studies have found elevated rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in women seeking treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, and elevated rates of alcohol and drug disorders among female psychiatric patients with histories of CSA" (Harris, Klassen, Vogeltanz and Wilsnack).
Dealing with the negative emotional aspect of sexual abuse is commonly done by use of something that will aid in forgetting or feeling better about it.
2. "The abuse of substances can act as an escape from the intense waves of feelings, the terror and helplessness" ("RAINN").
III. Finally, there are physical health problems in women that have suffered from sexual misuse.
A. Following years of sexual trauma, the body's fight for defense decreases and the effects are evident.
1. "Researchers, who tracked a group of girls ranging in age from 6 to 16... found that they had higher rates of depression and obesity, as well as problems with regulation of brain chemicals, among other issues, compared to a control group of girls who were not abused" (Raymond, 2011).
2. "But by about age 15, testing showed that cortisol levels were below normal, compared to the control group. Lower levels of cortisol have been linked to a decrease in the body's ability to deal with stress..." (Raymond, 2011).
3. "Fears, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), behavior problems, sexualized behaviors, and poor self-esteem occurred most frequently among a long list of symptoms noted, but no one symptom characterized a majority of sexually abused children" (Finkelhor, Kendall-Tackett and Williams).
B. To add, mental health disorders are byproducts of ongoing sexual abuse.
1. "In some children this anxiety and phobias become pervasive and crippling because of the level of avoidance they engage in to reduce their stress" ("Child Welfare Information Gateway").
2. "Substance abuse and suicidal behaviour were also more commonly reported by the abused group" (Anderson, Herbison, Martin, Mullen and Romans).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are multiple factors that contribute to sexual abuse that need to be addressed. Neglecting the signs of abuse and avoiding confrontation leads to ongoing concerns. Many of us are unaware that injustice plays a dynamic role in the personal lives of countless females today. With sufferings of psychological, emotional and physical effects, life is a tremendous struggle for victims of sexual abuse. With an energetic hope and strive to provide relief to these broken souls, a difference is sure to be made.