By: Catherine Brinley

 “Abundant evidence suggests that crises resulting from sexual abuse and rape are more intense and differ in nature, intensity, and extent from other forms of crisis. In fact, the psychological traumatic wake of rape both in childhood and adulthood marks it as probably second only to prolonged combat in potential for PTSD, and many of the transcrisis rape treatment approaches closely parallel those of standard PTSD treatment” (James, Gilliland, pg. 249).

 There are many definitions, the most common one is, “a sexual invasion of the body by force, an incursion into the private, personal inner space without consent—in short, an internal assault from one of several avenues and by one of several methods [that] constitutes a deliberate violation of emotional, physical, and rational integrity and is a hostile, degrading act of violence” (James, Gilliland, pg. 249).

 Psychosocial, culture, and personal attitudes and responses of both males and females are important dynamics  Gender inequality- economic, political, and legal status of women in comparison to men  Pornography- shows women as sex objects, promotes male dominance  Legitimization of violence- support culture gives to violence, which is encouraged by media

 Many men that act in a hostile, angry, and domineering manners believe they are strong and courageous. When in fact, they feel weak, anxious, and inadequate.  He feels like he needs to exercise power.  He sees women as sexual objects.  Will make him feel like a “real” man.  Harbors feelings of anger, hostility, and fear toward women.

 There are many effects that take place in an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse  -Depression, anxiety, shame, humiliation  -Borderline personality disorder, dissociative disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder  -Social stigmatization, alienation, inhibitions, introversion, and interpersonal hypersensitivity  -Chronic pains, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and long term physical health problems  -Negative self-image, poor interpersonal relationships, poor parenting skills  -Suicide

 Interventions with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse:  -Individual counseling  -Support groups  These will encourage the victim. The victim struggles with guilt, shame, and remorse. Support groups will encourage the victim and bring about emotional healing, fear reduction, and enhancement of self-esteem

 Many times when a child is sexually abuse it is by a person who is close to them. It is hard for not only the child, but also the family. There has to be medical and psychological treatment.  The child undergoes trauma, fear, anger, betrayal, and despair

 Play Therapy- this will identity several characteristics behaviors that maltreated children  Cognitive-behavioral-relaxation training, positive self-talk, cognitive restructing, stress inoculation, and emotive imagery  Trauma system approach- Involve children, parents, and community systems, like social services, mental health facilities, and schools

 What a support group should offer:  -Psychoeducation that teaches children about family misconceptions they may have and offers new information to help children understand they are not so isolated and alone  -Behavioral rehearsal and modeling skills that are taught to both children and nonoffending parents to teach them how to regulate emotional expressions and develop new cognitive coping skills  -Relaxation training and graded exposure treatment to the trauma that allows the child to learn that his or her fears and avoidance of the feared situation, object, or person are not nearly as frightening or upsetting as previously thought

 Group counseling helps children have an easier time sharing in a group setting.  In taking them out loud the believe that it will empower the kids to take control of their lives back.  Many times they need to be reassured that it was not their fault that their family fell apart.

 When dealing with children that have experienced sexual abuse you have to make sure they feel safe enough to talk about their abuse.  Avoidance is a typical response to anyone that has experienced a traumatic event.  You also have to reenact the trauma and restructuring of it in the child’s life so that it doesn’t have as much significance in their life.

 PIdc PIdc