Facing the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse
From The Palmetto Post, a publication of Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health
For most of us, childhood memories invoke warm
feelings associated with family and carefree times;
however for the millions of American adult survivors
of childhood sexual abuse, childhood memories may
invoke feelings of anger, trauma, fear, shame,
confusion and sadness. And unfortunately, many
survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) have never
received help for their suffering.
Statistics suggest that one out of every four girls
and one out of every eight boys will be sexually
abused before the age of 18 years. Studies
consistently show similar rates of CSA among races and
economic classes.
Victims of CSA experience a range of negative emotions
and thoughts that accompany them into adulthood. Adult
survivors are prone to suffer from chronic depression,
low self-esteem, sexual dysfunction,
post-traumatic-stress syndrome, substance abuse,
eating disorders, anxiety disorders and repressed
memories. One study shows that as many as 80% of CSA
survivors report excessive drug or alcohol use.
Often these problems are symptoms of coping mechanisms
developed during childhood in order to deal with the
traumatic event of abuse.
Deborah Donovan Rice, MMT, DTR, Director of
Programming and Education for From Darkness to
Light--a prevention program aimed at reducing the
incidence and consequence of child sexual
abuse--advises adults struggling with issues related
CSA to talk to someone they trust and seek out a
support group or a counseling professional
specializing in sexual abuse issues.
“It is important for survivors of CSA not to push
aside or ignore their experience, because the negative
effects of having been abused can multiply and
intensify with the passing of time,” says Rice.
“With courage and willingness to face the fear and
painful emotions, the survivor of CSA and become the
thriver.”
Margaret Newman, Licensed Marriage and Family
Therapist with Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health,
says “when CSA survivors are able to share their
experiences and the related emotions in a safe
therapeutic way they gain strength from the adversity
and move forward in a positive fashion. Tremendous
healing can come through processing issues and
feelings in a group setting.”
Rice, who addressed the Helping Professionals Network
at Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, claims that
more people in our society are recognizing that CSA
effects approximately 20% of our children and that
they can no longer afford to be “silent
bystanders.”
“From Darkness to Light encourages religious, social
service and youth organizations to learn the facts and
understand the long-term effects of CSA,” adds Rice.
“It is difficult but necessary to accept the
possibility that someone in your family or circle of
friends is capable of sexual abuse, but prevention
includes being aware that 94% of sexual abusers of
children are known by the child.”
Suspicions of CSA should be reported to a child
protective services or law enforcement agency. The law
requires professionals who work with children to
report suspected neglect or abuse. Many states have
extended the statutes of limitation for cases of CSA
to provide legal recourses for adult survivors.
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