The cost and emotional havoc of childhood sexual abuse

In recent years, largely as a result of increased public pressure from families and victims of child sexual abuse, awareness of institutional child sexual abuse has become mainstream.  As each new case becomes public, the damaging emotional and economic cost is becoming more and more apparent. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is a testament to both the cost and emotional havoc that childhood sexual abuse can inflict.

As a result of this increased awareness - or perhaps an admission of the problem - we are also becoming more aware of the symptoms of child sexual abuse. But those symptoms vary significantly between age groups.

 

Stages of development

Children move through different stages of development; physically, socially and emotionally Along with these changes, we also see development in a child's vocabulary and the ability to adequately express their emotional experience.

RELATED ARTICLE: Why Some Children Confess to Abuse that Never Happened

The additional complications and emotional strain of family restructuring, divorce and remarriage make identifying child sexual abuse, particularly in early childhood harder to detect. Nevertheless, most children tend to fall within an acceptable range of emotions and common to their age and their stage of development.

As children passed through these stages of development, their response to, and understanding of, sexual concepts will also begin to develop.

A 12-year-old may be able to communicate their sexual awareness and experience using explicit adult or common language.  They may turn to drugs and alcohol or start engaging in premeditated and experimental sexual acts. On the contrary, children of preschool age will rarely use explicit language for discussing adult sexual behaviours.

Children between the ages of 0 and five often show us through simplified behaviour and shifting moods rather than tell us that something is upsetting them.

There may be many reasons for changes in their behaviour, but if we notice a combination of troubling signs it may be time to call for help or advice.

 

Signs and Symptoms of early Childhood Sexual Abuse

Here are some signals to keep an eye out for in early childhood and preschool years for both boys and girls.

• Unwittingly acting out sexual behaviour with toys or objects

• Sleeping problems

• Becoming withdrawn or very clingy

• Unaccountable fear of particular places, people or rooms within a home

• Changes in eating habits

• Sexually explicit language

• New adult words for body parts where there is no obvious source

• Pain, bruising or soreness around genitals or mouth that have no explanation

• Sexually transmitted diseases

 

No single physical or emotional sign means that a child was or is experiencing sexual abuse.

And, we need to be aware of other circumstances in the child's life which may trigger any of the behaviours listed above.

But, the presence of several signs could be a good reason for you to begin asking questions and consider seeking help.

 

Reporting What You See

A number of professionals, including doctors, nurses and teachers, are legally obliged to report any suspicion of child sexual abuse, although these laws vary from State to State.

Kelso Lawyers, who are specialists in handling institutional child sexual abuse cases in Australia, provide an up-to-date list of reporting bodies that you can refer to for each state and territory.

 

 

Peter Kelso, has been assisting victims of criminal offences since 1988.

You do not need to prove that child sexual abuse is actually occurring to report it – a reasonable suspicion of abuse is all that is needed in order to make a report. ~ Peter Kelso

 

In a multicultural society, we need to remember families from different backgrounds are likely to have different expectations about acceptable behaviour in their children.

But early childhood sexual abuse can occur in any culture and any family with devastating consequences.

 

Mr Kelso is a lawyer who grew up in State care. Read his story HERE.

 

 

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Published by: Divorce Resource