SEXUAL ABUSE

Introduction

Sexual abuse of children is one of the hardest topics for society to speak about. Why is it most people don't want to face the facts that children of all ages are sexually abused every day? I believe it is because we do not want to admit that acts of such monstrosities are committed against children. We do not want to accept that our society is filled with sick, perverted people who could commit such horrendous acts against a child. We are afraid to acknowledge that the majority of these sexual offenders are still at large and free to socialize, work and mingle within society. We don't want to admit that such a person could actually be a friend, co-worker, relative or even our own partner. We would rather bury our head in the sand and hope that it goes away rather than admit to knowing someone who commits such degrading acts. Sexual abuse must be stopped and stopped now. Each and every child is vulnerable to sexual abuse. As many as one out of every four children will be victims of sexual abuse. Extremly young children as well as older teenagers are victimized. Mos of these children will be abused by someone they know and trust such as a relative, family friend or caretaker. We can no long allow our children to be exploited in this manner. We have to admit to the facts and face them head on. We have to take a stand against abuse before it is too late. As citizens we have to do our moral duty and report any incidents that are suspicious, to save the children. Perpetrators must be made aware that they will be held responsible for their actions. They have to know that they will be severely punished for their crimes. That we as a society are no longer willing to hide and pretend sexual abuse does not occur. That is the only way in which we can bring this widespread sickness under control. Rise up now, take a stand against child sexual abuse. Fight against it. SAVE OUR CHILDREN.

What is Sexual Abuse?

In most states the legal definition for sexual molestation of a child is an act of a person (adult or child) which forces, coerces, or threatens a child to have any form of sexual contact or to engage in any type of sexual activity. Sexual abuse includes both touching and non-touching offenses. In its most extreme form, it includes sexual intercourse and/or its deviations. Nevertheless, it also includes indecent exposure, exposing a child to the act of sexual intercourse or pornographic material, and masturbation in front of a child.

Child sexual abuse is the manipulation of a child under 16 years of age for sexual contact or behaviour, whether consensual or not. Sexual abuse is any improper physical contact which is kept secret, not just intercourse. A child does not have the knowledge to comprehend the consequences of adult/child sexual contact. Therefor they cannot give consent. Sexual abuse occurs when an adult becomes involved sexually with a child. We can define sexual abuse as touching in where there is actual physical contact between the child and adult or non-touching where voyeurism or pornographic material may be used.

· Physical sexual abuse includes penetration of a child's vagina or anus -- no matter how slight -- by any object that does not have a valid medical purpose. Masturbation of the child or having the child masturbate an adult or touching an adult's sexual organs. Sexual touching such as fondling, sexual kissing or hugging is included also because there are differences in how they may kiss or hug a child. Exploitation of a child for the purposes of prostitution or use in pornography.

· Non-physical sexual abuse includes voyeurism, exhibitionism, verbal sexual abuse (sexual suggestions, joking, name calling, questioning a child about sexual activities), inappropriate sexual boundaries (parents engaging in sex where a child can see).

· Emotional sexual abuse is when a parent has a relationship with the child that is more important to that parent than the relationship with their spouse.

 As a rule child sexual abuse does not usually involve force. Children are trusting and dependent on adults and want to please and gain their love and approval, therefor it becomes very easy for the The perpetrator to cleverly manipulate the child by using gradual seduction techniques. At first the activities usually involve non-physical sexual abuse gradually increasing until sexual intercourse or anal penetration is achieved. These activities takes place over a length of time so that the child in reality does not realise what is going on. Consequently they are both scared and surprised when intercourse happens. We must also remember that a child is always powerless in relation to an adult, and he or she is not tuly free to refuse a sexual advance.

Most sexually abused children never come to the attention of authorities. Usually there are no physical signs of harm. Normally shame and guilt so plagues the child, they remain quiet, telling no one of what is happening. Child abusers can also cause the child to become fearful of telling. It is only once a child feels safe that they will talk. If a child discloses sexual abuse remain calm and listen. A disclosure should always be taken seriously, as children very rarely lie or imagine having been sexually abused. Adults who are aware of sexual abuse taking place are normally very secretive. They do not normally report the incidents for fear of destroying the family or the perpetrator.

As many as one in three incidents of child sexual abuse is not remembered by adults who experienced them. The younger the child and the closer the relationship with the abuser, the more likely one is not to remember. As an adult they have learned to blank the incidents from their memory completely. Survivors of child sexual abuse often suffer long-term adverse effect both emotionally and psychologically.

Effects of Sexual Abuse

Childhood sexual abuse or incest is widespread and affects all aspects of how a survivor functions daily. It usually always creates a deeply disruptive and destructive experience for the victim. It hinders the normal development of relationships which a person forms. The victim is unable to trust and has been left with a deep-seated shame that usually results in feelings of guilt. Sexual abuse is not normally disclosed, the victim keeps it inside were it festers causing severe and devastating consequences. Many survivors have not disclosed or received help for 20, 30 year after the events because of their shame.
 

Long-term effects of Sexual Abuse

· sexual dysfunction (flashbacks, difficulty in bcoming aroused, avoidance of or phobic reactions to sexual intimacy)

· vulnerability to subsequent abuse and exploitation

· promiscuity

· prostitution

· problems in intimate relationships

· isolation

· marital problems

· depression

· drug or alcohol abuse

· suicide

· eating disordders


Indicators of Sexual Abuse

Physical

· physical signs of sexually transmitted diseases

· yeast infections

· recurring urinary tract infections

· foul odours emanating from genital area

· Vaginal or penile discharge

· unusual bruising/bleedding in the rectal or genital areas

· persistent sore throat

· frequent physical complaints such as stomach and abdominal pain

· residue of lubricants

· regressive bedwetting,

· promiscuousness

· drastic weight loss or weight gain

· eating disorders (anorexia or bulimia)

· drastic change in appearance

· agitated, mental stess

· exhaustion or lack of sleep

· possession of unexplained gifts

· intoxication after being with an adult or older adolescent


Behavioral

· sexually advanced or attempts to disguise provocative behaviour

· conceal secondary sexual traits

· displays sexual knowledge, that is beyond what is normal for their age

· insinuates being involved in sexual relations

· inducting other child to become involved with an adult

· unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature

· fervent attempts to gain notice/love from elders

· fear or dislike of a particular adult or adolescent

· uneasiness towards persons in authority

· withdrawal from friends and family

· overly submissive or obliging

· extreme mood swings

· perception of peril at child's home

· excessive bathing or poor hygiene

· change in eating habits (anorexia, bulimia)

· sleep disturbances (nightmares, insomnia, sleepwalking, etc.)

· emotional problems such as guilt, anger, hostility, anxiety, fear, shame, low self-esteem, despondency, crying episodes,

· regressive, infantile behavior (bed wetting, thumb sucking)

· behavioural problems such as aggression, delinquency, nightmares, phobias,

· suicidal tendencies (threats, attempts)

· self-mutilation

· drastic change in academic performance (failing, excelling)

· substance abuse ( alcohol, drugs)

· apprehension of being photographed

· refusal to disrobe in physical education class

· unreasonable amounts of time in shopping centers, game room, etc.

· terror of parenting, detachment, lose of ability to trust

· slaughtering or abusing domestic animals


Indications of Adolescent Victims of Sexual Abuse

· sensitiveness, bleeding from genital, anal areas, or throat

· unexplained pregnancies

· habitual depression

· self-mutilation

· self-loathing

· suicidal tendencies (threats, attempts)

· unsuitably seductiveness

· forbidden to date

· drug and alcohol misuse, abuse, and addiction

· forgetfulness

· change in eating habits (anorexia, bulimia)

· apprehensive of specific individuals

· runaway

Bible Quotes

"None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the Lord ... For whosoevershall cimmit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people" (Leviticus 18: 6,29).

"And the man that lieth with his father's wife ... his daughter-in-law ... take a wife and her mother ... take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter ... it is a wicked things; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people ... he shall bear his iniquity" (Leviticus 10: 11,12,14,17).

"For John had said unto Herod, ‘It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife'" (Mark 6:18

"It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as naamed among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife ... devliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus" (1 Corinthians 5: 1,5).
 
 

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