The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse on College Age Students Linda Crummett, ACSW, LCSW Mental Health Counselor Student Health Services Montana State University Billings

The first question is: Are there effects of sexual abuse on its victims???

Define sexual abuse as used for studies: Child sexual abuse is "any sexual act with a child performed by an adult or an older child." Child sexual abuse could include a number of acts, including but not limited to:  Sexual touching of any part of the body, clothed or unclothed;  Penetrative sex, including penetration of the mouth;  Encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity, including masturbation;  Intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child;  Showing children pornography, or using children to create pornography;  Encouraging a child to engage in prostitution.

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Human Development Stage One -Trust vs. Mistrust Birth to 2 years Hope

Stage Two - Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt 2 to 4 years Will

Stage Three – Initiative vs. Guilt 4 to 5 years Purpose

Stage Four – Industry vs. Inferiority 5 – 12 years Competence

Stage Five – Identity vs. Role Confusion 13 – 19 years Fidelity

Stage Six – Intimacy vs. Isolation 20 – 24 years Love

Stage Seven – Generativity vs. Stagnation 25 – 64 years Care

Stage Eight – Ego Integrity vs. Despair 65 – death Wisdom

Briere and Elliott discuss stages of impact: 1.Initial reactions 2.Accommodation to the abuse 3.Long-term consequences

Posttraumatic Stress Involuntary and intrusive memories Distressing dreams with content related to the trauma Dissociative reactions e.g. flashbacks Intense or prolonged psychological distress to internal or external cues that symbolize or resemble an aspect of the event Physiological reactions to cues related to the event

Cognitive Distortions Low self-esteem Self blame Other inaccurate attributions

Emotional Distress Depression Anxiety Sexual Dysfunction Physical ailments Anger

Impaired Sense of Self Interference in child’s developing self-awareness Inability to soothe and self- comfort Difficulty defining one’s own boundaries Increased likelihood of re- victimization

Avoidance Dissociation Substance abuse Suicidality Self-destructive behaviors

Interpersonal Difficulties Distrust of others Anger at or fear of those with greater power Fear of abandonment Perceptions of injustice

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