CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL ABUSE FOR THE SURVIVOR
Consequences of child
sexual abuse begin affecting children and families immediately.
They also affect society in innumerable and negative ways. These
effects can continue throughout the life of the survivor so the
impact on society for just one survivor continues over multiple
decades. Try to imagine the impact of 39 million survivors.
Here is what you can
find on this page...
HEALTH AND/OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
| SELF-MEDICATION |
PREGNANCY |
CRIME
HEALTH AND/OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS
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The way a victim's
family responds to abuse plays an important role in how the
incident affects the victim.
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Sexually abused
children who keep it a secret or who "tell" and are not
believed are at greater risk than the general population for
psychological, emotional, social, and physical problems
often lasting into adulthood.
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Children who have
been victims of sexual abuse are more likely to experience
physical health problems (e.g., headaches).
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Victims of child
sexual abuse report more symptoms of PTSD, more sadness, and
more school problems than non-victims. (2, 3, 7, 12)
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Victims of child
sexual abuse are more likely to experience major depressive
disorder as adults. (7, 12)
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Young girls who are
sexually abused are more likely to develop eating disorders
as adolescents. (3, 6, 16)
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Adolescent victims of violent crime
have difficulty in the transition to adulthood, are more likely to suffer
financial failure and physical injury, and are at risk to fail in other
areas due to problem behaviors and outcomes of the victimization.
SELF
MEDICATION
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Victims of child
sexual abuse report more substance abuse problems. 70-80% of
sexual abuse survivors report excessive drug and alcohol
use. (2, 3, 16)
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Young girls who are
sexually abused are 3 times more likely to develop
psychiatric disorders or alcohol and drug abuse in
adulthood, than girls who are not sexually abused. (3, 6,
16)
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Among male survivors, more than 70%
seek psychological treatment for issues such as substance abuse, suicidal
thoughts and attempted suicide. Males who have been sexually abused are more
likely to violently victimize others. (17)
PREGNANCY
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Children who have
been victims of sexual abuse exhibit long-term and more
frequent behavioral problems, particularly inappropriate
sexual behaviors.
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Women who report
childhood rape are 3 times more likely to become pregnant
before age 18.
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An estimated 60% of
teen first pregnancies are preceded by experiences of
molestation, rape, or attempted rape. The average age of
their offenders is 27 years.
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Victims of child
sexual abuse are more likely to be sexually promiscuous. (5,
8, 9, 11)
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More than 75% of teenage prostitutes
have been sexually abused.
CRIME
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Adolescents who
suffer violent victimization are at risk for being victims
or perpetrators of felony assault, domestic violence, and
property offense as adults.
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Nearly 50% of women
in prison state that they were abused as children.
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Over 75% of serial rapists report they
were sexually abused as youngsters.