Generating a Handbook for the Adult Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse (Assault, Victimization) (original) (raw)

Traumatic Experience of Victim of Child Sexual Abuse

International journal of academic research in business & social sciences, 2024

For children to develop in a healthy manner, they must have positive and healthy experiences. On the other hand, some children have gone through traumatic events as a result of early sexual abuse. X, a sixteen-year-old girl, was sexually abused by her own brothers from the age of six until fifteen. She was sexually abused and assaulted by her two brothers more than 20 times, and she has suffered from traumatic experiences up until this point. X experiences a range of symptoms, including behavior, emotion, physiology, spiritual, irrational beliefs and maladaptive coping. X acknowledges that the traumatic experience she went through is still plaguing her and that she needs assistance to deal with all the fallout. In order to support victims of child sexual abuse like X in her future development, it is hoped that the findings of this study will aid future researchers in creating and establishing a helping model.

Through the eyes of the wounded: a narrative analysis of children's sexual abuse experiences and recovery process

Journal of child sexual abuse, 2014

Numerous children receive counseling for sexual abuse, yet their personal perspectives related to the abuse, the impact of making the disclosure, and the recovery process are noticeably absent from the scholarly literature. This study addressed this gap by analyzing trauma narratives written by children as part of a counseling intervention. Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: memories of the abuse, the disclosure and subsequent events, and the healing journey. Children's descriptions of their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about their experiences are delineated and recommendations are provided for counseling professionals to increase the efficacy of care provided.

Childhood Sexual Abuse Narratives in Clinically and Nonclinically Distressed Adult Survivors

Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2003

Understanding the complex dynamics involved in sexual abuse trauma is of central importance to clinicians working with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. In this study 20 volunteer participants formed 2 gender-balanced groups differentiated by clinical (vs. nonclinical) levels of distress. A negative case analysis revealed group differences in participants' perceptions of the impact of the abuse, meaning attributions for the abuse, and social support experiences. Resolving traumatic attachment to the perpetrator may be the core therapeutic task complicating the process of reclaiming trust, expressing grief and anger, and developing empowered meaning attributions. Successful negotiation of the complex pathways to recovery requires a therapeutic environment free from countertransferential errors.

Adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse: Prevalence, sexual abuse characteristics, and long-term effects

Clinical Psychology Review, 1996

Copyright 0 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd 619 620 G. K. Dhaliwal d al. . The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical review of the research literature on men who have been sexually abused as children (MSAC). Studies based on MSAC would provide a different perspective on male sexual abuse than young males, due to added factors, such as the explicit variations in memory and comprehension of the trauma of sexual abuse, as well as the longer term aftermaths of the abuse and the specific coping mechanisms developed to overcome the abuse. This paper will first review research that has investigated men who have been sexually abused as children, and then discuss some of the research concerns which must be addressed, for each of the following areas: (a) prevalence rate of MSAC, (b) nature of the abuse, and (c) long-term effects. Whenever possible, comparisons of MSAC will be made with men who have not been sexually abused (non-MSAC) or women who have been sexually abused as children (WSAC).

Psychotherapy with Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

British Journal of Psychotherapy, 1990

This paper explores issues raised in psychotherapeutic work with adult survivors of child sexual abuse. An analysis is made of the long-term psychological effects of the trauma and the psychic dilemma as experienced by the patient. Four themes relevant to the therapist are explored: the problems raised by the seduction theory, the dangers of interpreting the patient's experience as fantasy, the potential abuse of power and control, and the implications of the gender of the therapist.

Cumulative trauma: The impact of child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, and spouse abuse

Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1996

The present study investigated the relationship between trauma symptoms and a history of child sexual abuse, adult sexual assault, and physical abuse by a partner as an adult. While there has been some research examining the correlation between individual victimization experiences and traumatic stress, the cumulative impact of multiple victimization experiences has not been addressed. Subjects were recruited from psychological clinics and community advocacy agencies. Additionally, a nonclinical undergraduate student sample was evaluated. The results of this study indicate not only that victimization and revictimization experiences are frequent, but also that the level of trauma specific symptoms are significantly related to the number of different types of reported victimization experiences. The research and clinical implications of these findings are discussed.

Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Approaches to Therapy

Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 1998

The experience of sexual abuse in childhood is very common (Jehu, 1988). The highest estimate from the USA (Wyatt & Peters, 1986) suggests that 42% of girls up to the age of 17 have experienced abuse, and the best estimate from Britain (Baker & Duncan, 1985) would give a prevalence of between 12 and 20%. Mullen et al (1993) found in a general population of women in New Zealand an overall prevalence of abuse before the age of 16 of 32%, with 20% reporting genital contact and 3% penetrative sex. In the American series half of those abused (21% of the respondents) reported that the abuse was by a family member: the figure for intra-familial abuse in the British series was 14% of those reporting abuse, and thus about 3–5% of all the women who responded. There may be many explanations for the large international variations, including differences in definition, sampling and other aspects of methodology, but it is also possible that abuse is indeed more common in some countries than others.

Adult survivors of child sexual abuse

1994

Child sexual abuse is a topic rarely discussed in our society. This can make it difficult for survivors of child sexual abuse to understand and overcome what has happened to them. It is estimated that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by age 16. 1 Most offenders are known to the child. Understanding the definition, impact, and recovery process of childhood sexual abuse can be helpful for individuals as they move through the healing process. What is Child Sexual Abuse? Child sexual abuse is the improper exposure of a child to sexual contact, activity, or behavior, which can include exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, sexual touching, and/or penetration. According to the Criminal Code of Canada, a person under the age of 12 cannot consent to any kind of sexual activity with anyone at anytime. Youth aged 1213 cannot consent unless the person is less than two years older than them. Youth aged 1415 cannot consent unless the person is less than five years older than them. Up until 18 years of age, youth cannot consent if the other person is in a position of power, trust, or authority (e.g. teacher, family member, babysitter, coach). Sexual abuse may occur on a regular basis over many months or years by one or several abusers, or it may happen on one occasion only.

Child Sexual Abuse and Revictimization in the Form of Adult Sexual Abuse, Adult Physical Abuse, and Adult Psychological Maltreatment

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2000

Research has suggested that child sexual abuse (CSA) may place a woman at greater risk for further abuse in adulthood, a phenomenon called revictimization. Revictimization may occur in the form of unwanted sexual contact, physical abuse, and psychological maltreatment. This study assessed CSA and adult sexual, physical, and psychological abuse with a sample of 633 college women. Survivors of CSA (CSAS) were more likely to report unwanted sexual intercourse by acquaintances due to force and were more likely to experience unwanted intercourse with both acquaintances and strangers due to the misuse of the perpetrator's authority. CSAS were also more likely to experience unwanted fondling and oral-genital contact with acquaintances in the context of misuse of authority by the perpetrator and use of alcohol or drugs by the victim. In addition, CSAS experienced more instances of physical abuse and psychological maltreatment than nonvictims. The clinical and preventive implications of ...