sexual abuse

n.
1. The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another, as by the use of threats or
coercion.
2. Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an adult and a minor or with a
person of diminished mental capacity.

Sexual violence is defined as:

 any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual

comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed,
against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person
regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting,
including but not limited to home and work.[10]
Coercion can cover a whole spectrum of degrees of force. Apart from
physical force, it may involve psychological intimidation, blackmail or
other threats – for instance, the threat of physical harm, of being
dismissed from a job or of not obtaining a job that is sought. It may
also occur when the person aggressed is unable to give consent – for
instance, while drunk, drugged, asleep or mentally incapable of
understanding the situation.
Sexual violence includes rape, defined by some as physically forced
or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus, using a penis,
other body parts or an object. The attempt to do so is known
as attempted rape. Rape of a person by two or more perpetrators is
known as gang rape. Sexual violence can include other forms of
assault involving a sexual organ, including coerced contact between
the mouth and penis, vulva or anus.
[edit]Forms and contexts of sexual violence
A wide range of sexually violent acts can take place in different
circumstances and settings. These include, for example:

 Rape by strangers;
 rape within marriage or dating relationships;
 systematic "war rape" during armed conflict;
 unwanted sexual advances or sexual harassment, including
demanding sex in return for favors;
 sexual abuse of mentally or physically disabled people;
 sexual abuse of children;
 forced marriage or cohabitation, including the marriage of
children;
 denial of the right to use contraception or to adopt other
measures to protect against sexually transmitted diseases;
 forced abortion;
 violent acts against sexual integrity, including genital
mutilation and obligatory inspections for virginity;
 forced prostitution and trafficking of people for the purpose of
sexual exploitation.
[edit]

Child Abuse:

"Try to imagine the humiliation and violation of a rape. Then imagine it

as constant, unpredictable but inevitable. Now place it in the context of imprisonment. And finally,
put it in the hands of a beloved caretaker -- while he says it's for you that he's doing it."
E. Sue Blume on sexual abuse by caretakers in Secret Survivors

Child sexual abuse is the exploitation of a minor for the sexual gratification of someone else. This

can include unwanted sexual touching, talking, showing the adult's genitals to the child or showing
the child obscene materials, among other things. Exactly what constitutes sexual abuse is difficult
to define; factors that help to place something in or out of the abuse category include
the child/adolescent's ability to make an informed decision about participating in what went on,
the child/adolescent's age, the older person's amount of power and intimidation over the younger
one, and the laws of their locality. The abuser is not necessarily an adult; children can be abused
by older children as well. (endive wanted to point out: "Although typically the abuser is older,
many children are abused by someone in their own age group. Of these offenders, most were also
victims of sexual abuse, but in many states there are little or no laws concerning treatment of
young children with sexual behavior problems.") As E. Sue Blume puts it, "once touch has moved
from safe, nondemanding affection to confusing, inappropriate sexuality, the damage is
done." Child Abuse -- Fear In The Home calls sexual abuse "possibly the most devastating form
of child abuse."

Abusers come from all races, economic classes, and cannot otherwise be identified except by those
they have abused. Those who have studied sexual abusers come up with quite different
conclusions as to why they did it. However, the majority of child sexual abuse is done by someone
known to the victim; it is usually NOT a stranger luring children or teens into private places, but
someone who has an excuse for spending time with their prospective victim. Statistics differ as to
exactly what percentage of sexual abuse is done by familiar people; the books I have used as
sources give figures for the United States ranging from 75% to 95% of sexual abuse being done
by someone known to the child. One book cites the American Humane Association's breakdown of
sexual abusers into 42% who are a natural parent of the child, 23% who are some other
bloodrelative, and 35% other (this included foster and step-parents). In these cases when sexual
abuse is done by people the child or teenager knows, it violates a bond of trust between the young
person and their family member, caretaker, teacher, coach, adult friend, or other close person, the
trust that the older person will not use their physical strength or adult authority to hurt the young.
Being used for another person's sexualgratification, with no real thought of what effect it may have
on the one being so used, is unpleasant for adults; for someone too young to be emotionally ready
for sex it can be traumatic. "A child who cannot refuse, or who believes that she cannot refuse, is
a child who has been violated," says Blume, and children are taught to do what grownups tell them
to, especially when it is supposedly because of love.
Most abusers tell their victim that whatever happened should be kept secret. They may say that no
one else will believe the story, that the child will be blamed for causing the sexual activity, or give
threats (fabricated, such as threatening to harm the child's pet; or, semi-realistic: "You'll be taken
away and put in a foster home if you tell.") Especially when the abuser is someone the child/teen
trusted, that trust doesn't die immediately;love or loyalty brings a desire not to get their abuser in
trouble. Sexual abuse may have gone on for years before a victim decides to disclose what is
happening, or they may not tell until after it ends, if ever. Parents and others working with
children and teens need to be open to hearing, or they will not be trusted with the child's feelings.
It is also fairly common to avoid thinking about the abuse because it is too painful, especially when
it goes on for a long time; people really do forget that they were abused, but it is forgetting on
purpose, a defense mechanism. Even while abuse is taking place, some people are able
to dissociate and go into a near-trance or pretend that they are somewhere else.

Of course, some effects happen whether there was a trust bond to break or not. Physical harm can
certainly result from sexual abuse, especially if it involved penetration of a small child (with
genitals or objects), but the emotional harm is longer-lasting. The feelings
of discomfort and confusionassociated with those abusive sexual acts don't just go away because
one has grown older and found a non-abusive sexual partner; as I write this it's been fifteen years
since my grandfather last molested me and I still flinch from touches that remind me of his.
Having sexual acts forced onto you at a young age can teach many unhealthy lessons: that you
are only good for sex and don't deserve to be treated well; that sex is the only way to
get attention or affection (many abusers seek out affection-starved children as easy targets); that
people are not be trusted; that it's OK to use people as you were used; that sex is dirty and secret
and shame over being involved in it; that you are powerless and cannot stop being used by
others; that you are not safe unless you purposely make yourself unattractive; that the only thing
that you have control over is the way your body looks; guilt from feeling as if you didn't do enough
to stop the abuse or for any parts that were physically enjoyable; and other items. It's not
surprising that people who go into therapy for what seem to be unrelated issues end up dealing
with past sexual abuse; it can affect all one's relationships with people.

More attention is usually given to abused females, but as these statistics show, males are also
sexually abused. All my sources agree that 80% to 90% of abusers are male, but there are female
abusers of both boys and girls; those who are abused by women often are even more reluctant to
disclose the abuse because it does not fit the stereotypes. Blume's Secret Survivors says of her
focus on women:"The aftereffects I describe are inextricably intertwined with the social experience
and psychological training of women." However, this does not mean that abused boys do not show
aftereffects, and until recently they have had substantially more difficulty finding resources to help
themselves than those abused as girls have. Male victims of male abusers also have the added
difficulty of society's homophobia to deal with; they worry that being abused by a member of the
same sex has made them gay (even if they aren't now and have never been attracted to the same
sex). This sometimes leads to their becoming homophobic as a way of trying to prove to
themselves and others that they aren't gay. (In fact, most male abusers of males consider
themselves to be heterosexual.)

Sexually abused children may show behavior changes, including: apparent personality changes

(happy child is suddenly depressed); physical complaints such as stomachaches; nightmares;
reluctance to go to certain places or have certain people around; regressive behavior (acting
younger than they are); and playing sexually with dolls or playmates. Teens who are being abused
often run away. Of course, physical signs such as injury to the genitalia are even more obvious,
but the behavioral changes are definitely prompting for a parent or other authority figure to ask
the child about the possibility of abuse. If abuse of any kind is reported to you, believe what you
are hearing. It is extremely rare for children to lieabout having been sexually abused (why would a
child make up something so painful and difficult to deal with?) Reassure the child that it is not
their fault, thank them for their trust in you, and explain that the abuse needs to be reported to
authorities to stop the abuser from hurting others. Sometimes the story is retracted under
pressure from the abuser (or family) or to avoid the difficulties of a formal investigation -- this
does not generally mean that it was originally a lie, merely that the child/adolescent wants to keep
things from getting worse than just the abuse by itself. (However, young children have been
shown to embellish the story if they have to tell it again and again, or add things if they think it
will please the interviewer. This still doesn't mean they started out lying.)

How can one prevent this kind of thing happening? The most important thing is to teach the child
that they have the right to say no to anyone, even family or friend, who is doing something that
makes them uncomfortable. Traditional "don't talk to strangers" programs fall very short here,
because so little sexual abuse is actually done by strangers. Years of being ordered, "Now kiss
Granddaddy good night" when you don't want to, makes it seem less likely that anyone will care
that he, or somebody else, is forcing other kinds of touch on a 5th grader. Several picture
books on the subject exist (My Body Is Private, Your Body Belongs To You, etc.) and all emphasize
that other people touching "anything covered by a bathing suit" except for necessary washing or
medical examinations should be reported to a trustworthy adult. All those I have read are well-
done and not going to scare the child. Going over this kind of thing with the child also makes it
clear that you will listen and believe if told about something happening -- both children and teens
often assume that no one will believe them, and unfortunately they are sometimes right. It's
awfully hard for an adult to face the fact that a husband, father, brother, or someone else trusted
with the child has molested them, and some people refuse to accept the possibility.

Knowing distinct names for all the "private parts" helps, and using them enough that the child is
not too embarrassed to say those names -- this makes it easier to realize when exactly
"bad touch" is taking place. I will testify from personal experience that if I had had some idea what
the hell was going on the first time Granddaddy pulled out his penis in the laundry room, I would
have run away and locked myself behind some other door until my mom and Grandmother got
home. Several years later when I was fourteen and he tried to feel me up, I did know what was
happening, and I pushed him out the door and locked it behind him. Knowledge gave
me courage that was he was trying to do was not acceptable. Parents often want to wait as long as
possible before talking about sex with their kids, but American Humane Association figures say the
average age of molested children is 9.19 years -- just think, that means half the molested kids are
younger than 9.

Historically, child sexual abuse has not been viewed as all that common. Sigmund Freud assumed
that the number of female patients talking about incest in their past meant that women all
imagined the same thing rather than that it actually happened frequently among people with
psychological problems. The Kinsey organization said that "heterosexual incest happened more
frequently in the thinking of clinicians and social workers than it does in actual performance."
Despite the statistics that have been collected in the past few decades, some people still hold this
view. Research is difficult to do for various reasons: the number of unreported cases, the difficulty
of working with adult survivors who may or may not be able to remember everything clearly, and
the overlap of the aftereffects of sexual abuse with those of other problems in the family of
origin.Estimates vary wildly as to how many people experience sexual abuse before the age of
eighteen. Any children experiencing sexual abuse is too many, but even the most conservative
figures are shocking.

 Beginning to Heal/The Courage To Heal -- one out of three girls, one out of seven boys.
 Child Abuse -- American Humane Association report says 100,000 cases reported in 1984;
U.S. Department of Health and Human Servicesreport says 155,900 cases reported
in 1986. (Note: this book also states that the number of unreported cases is estimated to
bring the total to over 250,000.) Four times as many females are abused as males.
 Child Abuse -- Fear In The Home -- 1990 "National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System"
reports 138, 357 from the 44 reporting states. They also note the American Humane
Association's estimate is 132,000 children sexually abused each year in their 1998 report,
and that a 1985Los Angeles Times nationwide poll found that 27% of female respondents
and 16% of male ones had been sexually abused.
 Coping With  Incest -- one in three girls, one in four boys from one source, 27% of
females, 16% of males from another, for all child sexual abuse; 83,000 cases of
incestuous child sexual abuse reported in 1986; 375,000 in 1990 (they hypothesize that
famous people such asOprah Winfrey and Roseanne revealing that they had been
incestuously sexually abused increased the rate of reporting.)
 My Body Is Private -- 20% to 40% of females, 10% of males.
 Secret Survivors -- refers to reports ranging from 25% of all females to 38%;
hypothesizes that this may be too low because of unreported cases.
 Sexual Abuse And Incest -- 20% to 25% of all children; one female in four and one male in
eight in FBI statistics; 28% to 38% of females and 15% to 20% of males from other
surveys.

As an adult, the effects of sexual abuse vary; the past continues to influence responses in

the present. Survivors are often very sensitive about their personal space and cannot stand
feeling trapped or constrained (even a hug can feel like a trap for me sometimes). Others seem to
have no personal boundaries because they never really got a chance to establish them in youth. In
either case, understanding other people's boundaries becomes difficult. Some become
very assertive because they finally have a chance to control their own lives; others may not
appear to be able to make their own choices. Survivors are likely to have a distorted view of the
relationship between power and sex. A lot of odd behaviors can turn out to be remnants of coping
mechanisms; for example, it never occurred to me that my unwillingness to wear shorts or skirts
shorter than ankle-length, despite living in Florida, could be rooted in being a survivor until I read
one of the items on Blume's "Aftereffects Checklist" ("wearing a lot of clothing, even in summer,
baggy clothes...") Many psychologists consider the effects to be Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Healing can involve going through emotions that seem worse than the feelings from before
confronting the abuse. But reaching a point where the past is no longer controlling one's life is
worthwhile. As Bass and Davis put it, "deciding to actively heal is terrifying because it means
opening up tohope. For many survivors, hope has brought only disappointment. Although it is
terrifying to say yes to yourself, it is also a tremendous relief when you finally stop and face your
own demons." This can often be triggered by events such as having a newly serious relationship,
breaking anaddiction, becoming a parent yourself, having an abuser (or people you didn't want to
tell) die, or even a book, movie, or TV show about sexual abuse. Many survivors go through what
Bass and Davis call an "emergency stage" where it seems that thinking about the sexual abuse is
all they do, but this does die down. Books such as The Courage To Heal and support groups
(even online ones) can help one get through difficult stages.

Incest and Child Sexual Abuse: 

Definitions, Perpetrators, Victims, and Effects

Definition of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity with a child by an adult, or
by another child where there is no consent or consent is not possible; or by
another child who has power over the child. By this definition, it is possible
for a child to be sexually abused by another child who is younger than they
are.

Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, showing a child pornographic
materials, placing the child's hand on another person's genitals, touching a
child's genitals, and/or penetration of any orifice of a child's body (mouth,
vagina, anus) with a penis, finger, or an object of any sort. Penetration
does not have to occur for it to be sexual abuse.

Who are the Perpetrators?

Perpetrators are most often someone the child knows and trusts. As far as
we know, perpetrators, are most often male relatives, including fathers,
brothers, grandfathers, uncles and cousins; friends of the family; or
neighbours. Perpetrators can also be female, including mothers, sisters,
aunts, babysitters, and grandmothers.
Usually the perpetrator has easy access to the child because s/he has sole
responsibility for the child, or takes care of or visits the child, and is trusted
by the child's parents.

Where Does Sexual Abuse Occur?

Sexual abuse or incest can occur anywhere, at any time, including in front
of other people who do not, or choose to not see. I have heard many
stories of children being abused while other people were in the next room,
in a car with them, or sitting at a dinner table.

Who is Sexually Abused?

All children are vulnerable to sexual abuse. Sexual abuse and incest occur
in every race, class, religion, culture, and country.

Once a child has been sexually abused, and has not received appropriate
help, support, and understanding for what has happened, s/he can be
particularly vulnerable to being sexually abused again by another
perpetrator. This is not the fault of the child. This is due to the fact that she
has learned that sexual abuse is something that people will and can do to
her/his body.

Children whose emotional needs are not met--who are emotionally

deprived, or otherwise abused--can also be more vulnerable because they
need attention and some perpetrators exploit that need. Again, this is not
the child's fault. The child did not create the fact that her/his needs were
not met, nor the fact that someone exploited that need.

Homophobia puts lesbian and gay youth at risk of sexual abuse. Many gay
youth are forced to go to adult clubs, bars and other settings in order to
explore their sexuality and to meet other prople who are gay. By being in
an adult setting they are more likely to be exploited (just as heterosexual
girls would be at risk in an adult heterosexual setting). Also, it is unlikely
that gay youth will tell anyone if they are abused because they would have
to reveal that they were in a gay setting. With little or no access to
information about gay sexuality, many youth misinterpret abuse
experiences as representing what it means to be gay. This puts them at
further risk.

Different Effects and Coping Strategies of Child Sexual Abuse

The effects of child sexual abuse are wide ranging, and vary from survivor
to survivor depending on a number of different factors such as the age of
the victim, the duration of the abuse, the number of perpetrators, the nature
of the relationship with the perpetrator, and the severity of the assault.

I always hesitant to write that last one--the severity of the assault--because

all abuse is traumatic and harmful to victims. I have known women quite
traumatized by their breasts being repeatedly grabbed when they were a
child. While this may not be as severe as some other forms of abuse, it can
have strong and long-lasting effects. It's important to remember that while
being assaulted in a more violent manner does have its own specific
effects, it in no way minimizes the reality and experience of others who
have not experienced that kind of violence.

Emotional Effects

Includes feelings of: confusion, powerlessness, helplessness, pain,

betrayal, sadness, grief, loss, feeling dirty, shame, vulnerable, unsafe,
scared, terrified, horrified, depressed, angry, numb from feelings and body,
suspicious, untrusting, tortured, sensitive, emotional, hurt, panic, anxiety,
and feeling miserable.

Beliefs About Self

Beliefs about one’s self include: "I am bad, no one loves me, no one could
love me, I am unlovable, I am dirty, it's my fault, I'm stupid, I should have
done something, I should have told someone, I hate myself, I must be bad,
I must have wanted it, I must have done something, I'm being punished, I
deserve to die, I don't want to be me, why do these things happen to me, I
must have deserved it"

Minimizing Beliefs

Survivors are confronted with overwhelming pain. In order to cope with

extreme and intense emotions, the details of what happened, and who hurt
them, they may try to convince themselves "it wasn't so bad, it didn't really
hurt them, others have been hurt much more" etc. This is a form of self-
protection. It did hurt, it still hurts but it may be too hard or scary right now
to face it all.
As a form of self-protection, minimizing may help slow the process down
which may be what the survivor needs from time to time. As a constant way
of coping however, minimization leads to self-blame and self-hatred which
is not helpful and hurts a great deal.

Rationalization

Suvivors need to protect themselves from the truth of the situation, after all
someone they trusted, and perhaps loved, hurt them very badly.
Rationalization is when a survivor explains the abusive behavior away--"he
didn't know what he was doing, he was abused himself as a child, he
thought he was showing me love, she was really messed up, she didn't
mean to hurt me." The survivor is trying to protect her/himself from the
horrible truth of the situation.

Denial

Denial is recognizable by a survivor saying, "it didn't happen; I must be

making it up; after all how can I be sure anything actually happened; and
what if I’m wrong; it probably didn't happen; it couldn’t have happened."

In my experience, some denial even as an adult can be helpful. Denial can

help slow the process down. We know denial helps a child to survive. We
cannot expect someone to simply abandon their hard earned coping
strategies even if they are safe now. Safety is not only an external reality it
is an internal one as well. Many survivors do not feel safe and may need
some denial to cope with how they feel.

Too much denial leads to all sorts of problems as the abuse is not
addressed. This kind of denial is harmful and is fuelled in part by the denial
of the "False Memory Syndrome" Foundation and other parts of society
who would rather deny than face the reality of child sexual abuse.

Dissociation, DID, MPD, and Multiplicity

We all dissociate to some extent or another. Babies do it quite regularly. It

is a natural physiological response to being overwhelmed. Children who
are sexually abused are extraordinarily overwhelmed. Dissociation allows
the child to literally take a break from the abuse, to distance her/himself
from what is going on, and ultimately to survive.
Some survivors describe dissociation as feeling as though they were not
really there during the abuse, but were far away perhaps watching from a
distance. Some survivors describe it as they split off from the abuse, and
floated up to the ceiling or into a crack in the wall. Some survivors go really
far away, deep inside themselves, and create different personalities to deal
with the abuse. Multiple personalities are usually formed in the context of
more extreme, frequent, or sadistic abuse.

Dissociation occurs on a continuum from the far left where someone is not
present in the moment and is off somewhere else, they may or may not feel
spacey--everyone does this at one time or another. Further along the
continuum people feel split, or like they are not one person inside, usually
there is an adult and a really vulnerable or hurt kid. Further along, survivors
have a few dissociated personalities. Even further toward the right of the
continuum, people have many different personalities, identities, parts,
fragments, and/or different groups of parts inside. These personalities may
or may not have names. Survivors near the right end may not have fully
formed personalities, but lots of highly fragmented parts. At the far right
end, survivors lose time which they may or may not be aware of. They may
find themselves places, and not remember how they got there and have the
experience of living different "lives".

In addition to a continuum of dissociation and multiplicity, there is a

continuum of co-consciousness--the degree to which parts inside are
aware of each other, and communicate and cooperate with one another.
Achieving co-consciousness is an important step in the healing process.
For help responding to different parts inside and developing internal
cooperation see my article DID, MPD, or Multiplicity: Responding to Parts
Inside With a Focus on Kids

Problems with Boundaries

Because a survivor's boundaries were not respected--they were utterly

violated--s/he may have a lot of difficulty knowing where her/his boundaries
are, how to maintain them, and how to protect her/himself from those who
do not respect or try to violate her/his boundaries. This leaves many
survivors vulnerable to further abuse.

Trusting Others
It can be very difficult for a survivor to trust anyone. It can be even harder
when that person is close to them, and cares for them. Often the abuser
was that--someone who had a close and trusting relationship with them.
Adult relationships, particularly sexual ones, can be quite challenging and
triggering for survivors. At the same time, they can be a source of great
love, safety, and healing too.

Relationship With One's Body

Since the abuse took place on and in the body, the body can become the
enemy. After all many survivors' carry a great deal of pain and memories in
their bodies. Desperately needing ways to cope with this pain can lead to a
variety of coping strategies including eating disorders, self-injurious
behaviors, numbing, inability to enjoy sex, having lots of sex, poor body
image, a generalized separation from and disregard for one's body,
dissociation, and gender-identity issues.

Coping Behaviors

There are a whole range of behaviors that survivors may engage in that come from
having been sexually abused. They include: addictions, prostitution, isolation,
frequent sexual activity, avoidance of sex, over-working, inability to work, high-
functioning, low-functioning, argumentativeness, avoiding conflict, perfectionist, and
wanting to please others.

All of these behaviors were learned in response to abuse and served an

important purpose--staying sane and alive. It is important to not judge your
or anyone else's ways of coping--you're here because of them. 

Other effects

These may include nightmares, insomnia, panic attacks, flashbacks,

anxiety attacks, terror, inability to go outside, afraid being alone, afraid
being with other people, numerous trigger-responses, headaches, and
physical problems (yeast infections, bladder infections, anal bleeding, etc.)

A Final Thought

While it may be tempting to focus on how awful it is to be abused, it's

important to not lose sight of the reality that survivors are full human beings
with many gifts and talents to offer the world. Some of the most sensitive,
intuitive, deep, profound, creative, and hopeful people I've known are
incest/child sexual abuse survivors. They were able to be that way by not
losing touch with their humanity--their soulfulness--in the face of others'
inhumanity. We can all learn a great deal from survivors.

sexual abuse
noun
webster’s new world law dictionary:

1. The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another, as by the

use of threats or coercion.
2. Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an adult and
a minor or with a person of diminished mental capacity.

There are many types of sexual abuse, including:

 Non-consensual, forced physical sexual behavior (rape and sexual assault).

 Unwanted touching, either of a child or an adult.
 Sexual kissing, fondling, exposure of genitalia, and voyeurism, exhibitionism and up to sexual
assault.
 Exposing a child to pornography.
 Saying sexually suggestive statements towards a child (child molestation).
 Also applies unconsential verbal sexual demands towards an adult.
 The use of a position of trust to compel otherwise unwanted sexual activity without physical
force (or can lead to attempted rape or sexual assault).
 Incest (see also sexual deviancy).
 Certain forms of sexual harassment.
Spousal sexual abuse
Main article:  Spousal abuse

Spousal sexual abuse is a form of domestic violence. When the abuse involves forced sex, it may
constitute rape upon the other spouse, depending on the jurisdiction, and may also constitute an
assault.

Positions of power
See also:  Power harassment  and Rankism

Sexual misconduct can occur where one person uses a position of authority to compel another person
to engage in an otherwise unwanted sexual activity. For example, sexual harassment in the workplace
might involve an employee being coerced into a sexual situation out of fear of being
dismissed. Sexual harassment in education might involve a student submitting to the sexual advances
of a person in authority in fear of being punished, for example by being given a failing grade.

Several sexual abuse scandals have involved abuse of religious authority and often cover-up among
non-abusers, including cases in the Southern Baptist religion,[2] Catholic Church,Episcopalian religion,
[3]
 Islam,[citation needed] Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutheran church,[4] Methodist Church,[5] The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints,[6] the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, Orthodox Judaism,[7] and various cults.

Child sexual abuse

Main article:  Child sexual abuse

Sexually abused child, February 1, 1910 publication

Leave me alone, dirty cuckold, 1905, by Martin van Maële

Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which a child is abused for the sexual gratification of
an adult or older adolescent.[8][9] In addition to direct sexual contact, child sexual abuse also occurs
when an adult indecently exposes their genitalia to a child, asks or pressures a child to engage in
sexual activities, displays pornography to a child, or uses a child to produce child pornography. [8][10][11]

Effects of child sexual abuse include guilt and self-blame, flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, fear of

things associated with the abuse (including objects, smells, places, doctor's visits, etc.), self-
esteem issues, sexual dysfunction, chronic pain, addiction, self-injury, suicidal ideation, somatic
complaints, depression,[12] post-traumatic stress disorder,[13] anxiety,[14] other mental
illnesses (including borderline personality disorder)[15]propensity to re-victimization in adulthood,[16] and
physical injury to the child, among other problems.[17] Victims of child sex abuse are over six times
more likely to attempt suicide[18] and eight times more likely to repeatedly attempt suicide. [18] The
abusers are also more likely to commit suicide. Much of the harm caused to victims becomes
apparent years after the abuse happens.

Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest, and results in more serious and long-
term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.[19]

Approximately 15% to 25% of women and 5% to 15% of men were sexually abused when they were
children.[20][21][22][23][24] Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims; approximately
30% are relatives of the child, most often fathers, uncles or cousins; around 60% are other
acquaintances such as friends of the family, babysitters, or neighbors; strangers are the offenders in
approximately 10% of child sexual abuse cases. Most child sexual abuse is committed by men;
women commit approximately 14% of offenses reported against boys and 6% of offenses reported
against girls.[20] Most offenders who abuse pre-pubescent children are pedophiles;[25][26] however, a
small percentage do not meet the diagnostic criteria for pedophilia. [27]

Sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities

Main article:  Sexual abuse of people with developmental disabilities

People with developmental disabilities are often victims of sexual abuse. According to research
people with disabilities are at a greater risk forvictimization of sexual assault or sexual abuse because
of lack of understanding (Sobsey & Varnhagen, 1989). The rate of sexual abuse happening to people
with disabilities is shocking, yet most of these cases will go unnoticed.

Sexual abuse and minorities

Sexual abuse is a big issue in some minority communities. In 2007, a number of Hispanic victims
were included in the settlement of a massive sexual abuse case involving the Los Angeles
archdiocese of the Catholic Church.[28] To address the issue of sexual abuse in the African-American
community, the prestigious Leeway Foundation [29] sponsored a grant to develop
www.blacksurvivors.org,[30] a national online support group and resource center for African-American
sexual abuse survivors. The non-profit group was founded in 2008 by Sylvia Coleman, an African-
American sexual abuse survivor and national sexual abuse prevention expert.
Sign Of Sexual Abuse:

There are various lists of possible physical and behavioral indicators of child sexual
abuse, some of which are:

 Waking up during the night sweating, screaming or shaking with nightmares. 

 Masturbating excessively. 

 Showing unusually aggressive behavior toward family members, friends, toys,

and pets. 

 Complaining of pain while urinating or having a bowel movement, or exhibiting

symptoms of genital infections such as offensive odors, or symptoms of a
sexually transmitted disease. 

 Having symptoms indicating evidence of physical traumas to the genital or

anal area. 

 Beginning wetting the bed. 

 Experiencing a loss of appetite or other eating problems, including

unexplained gagging. 

 Showing unusual fear of a certain place or location. 

 Developing frequent unexplained health problems. 

 Engaging in persistent sexual play with friends, toys or pets. 

 Having unexplained periods of panic, which may be flashbacks from the

abuse. 

 Regressing to behaviors too young for the stage of development they already
achieved. 

 Initiating sophisticated sexual behaviors. 

 Indicating a sudden reluctance to be alone with a certain person. 

 Engaging in self-mutilations, such as sticking themselves with pins or cutting

themselves. 

 Withdrawing from previously enjoyable activities, like school or school

performance change.

 Asking an unusual amount of questions about human sexuality.

Brief Summary of the Root Causes of Sexual Assault

The theories about why sexual offenders commit sexual violence or

assault are numerous and varied. They range to both ends of the “nature vs.

nurture” debate, and include biological factors such as evolution, physiology,

substance abuse, and psychopathology, as well as environmental factors such as

attitudes, sex roles, sex and power motives, social learning, and dynamics within

a relationship.

Offender-related theories

These theories suggest that there are factors at the individual level that

contribute to the likelihood of a person committing sexually violent acts. The

variables that have been explored in the research range from biological factors to

personality characteristics to attitudes and beliefs.

1. Evolution

This theory suggests that the differences between men and women in

current human mating patterns may be the result of strategies that created

reproductive success among our human ancestors.

This theory is hotly debated, and not widely accepted by most researchers

in the field. Evolutionary theories do not address the large number of assaults

lacking reproductive consequences because they involve oral or anal penetration

or victims who are prepubescent or male. Even those who favor evolutionary

explanations for modern behavior acknowledge that evolution alone cannot

account for sexual assault or intimate partner violence.

2. Physiology and Neurophysiology

The cause of sexual assault may be found in hormones and other

chemicals in the body, as well as head traumas or brain abnormalities.

Researchers in this area have found a correlation between testosterone levels in

humans and aggression, but it is not clear whether testosterone levels lead to

aggressive behavior or rise as a result of aggressive behavior. Trauma and

violence have been proven to have effects on hormones, neurotransmitters, and

brain function. Studies examining brain injuries and abnormalities suggest

trauma and violence can lead to an increase in battering behavior, as well as

other violent or impulsive acts.Janet Meyer, M.A. 11/22/00 Page 2

3. Alcohol

Considerable evidence links alcohol and physical aggression. Alcohol use

is involved in up to 75% of acquaintance rapes. Alcohol affects men’s perception

of women’s sexual intent. Many men perceive alcohol as a sexual cue; thus,

alcohol increases the likelihood that friendliness will be misperceived as sexual

intent and that a man will feel comfortable forcing sex after misperceiving a

woman’s cues. In short, perpetrators are more aggressive and victims less

effective at setting boundaries and defending themselves when drinking alcohol.

While it is very commonly involved in sexual assaults, many assaults

occur in the absence of alcohol, and many people drink without engaging in

violent behavior. Clearly, the use or abuse of alcohol does not entirely account

for the incidence of sexual assault in our society.

4. Psychopathology and Personality Traits

Men who rape have been diagnosed with a wide variety of psychiatric

and personality disorders, most often antisocial personality disorder.

Nonetheless, personality testing of rapists has found no significant differences

between sexual offenders and those incarcerated for nonsexual offenses.

The degree of involvement in sexually coercive behavior appears to be

related to personality measures of irresponsibility, a lack of social conscience,

and a value orientation legitimizing aggression, particularly against women.

Most investigators have concluded that there is a great deal of

heterogeneity among rapists and that sexual aggression is determined by many

factors. In fact, it has been said that the personality profile of convicted rapists

more closely matches the personality profile of men in the general population

than any other set of felons.

5. Attitudes and Gender Schemas

Sexually aggressive men are more likely to believe myths about rape and

that use of interpersonal violence is an effective strategy for resolving conflict

than are non-aggressive men. These sorts of beliefs may serve as rationalizations

for sexual offenders, allowing them to imagine that their victim either desired or

deserved to experience forced sexual acts. Once men have developed attitudes

that support violence against women, they are likely to misinterpret ambiguous

evidence as confirming their beliefs.Janet Meyer, M.A. 11/22/00 Page 3

Acceptance of rape myths is strongly related to adversarial sexual beliefs,

tolerance of interpersonal violence, and gender role stereotyping.

6. Sex and Power Motives

Research has confirmed that motives of power and anger are more

prominent in rapists’ rationalizations for sexual aggression than sexual desires

are. And sexually aggressive men openly admit that their sexual fantasies are

aggressive and sadistic.

7. Relationship Context

The stage of relationship between a man and a woman may affect the
probability of violence. Some research suggests that men who rape on first or

second dates may have similarities to stranger rapists, while men who rape early

in what otherwise appears to be a developing relationship may simply

misperceive their partners’ intent.

Variables that appear to be risk factors are the man’s initiating the date,

paying all the expenses, and driving; miscommunication about sex; heavy

alcohol or drug use; “parking”; and men’s acceptance of traditional sex roles,

interpersonal violence, adversarial attitudes about relationships, and rape myths

Societal Influences

Another body of theories suggests that socio-cultural factors contribute to

the occurrence of sexual violence. These theories suggest that our society tacitly

accepts and encourages sexual violence through expectations and cultural morés,

which are transmitted through our history, families, media and institutions.

8. History

The history of our society’s understanding of sexual violence has its roots

in English property law. “Rape entered the law … as a property crime of man

against man. Woman, of course, was viewed as the property.”

The law assumed

marriage vows implied consent to sexual relations, and men were permitted to

use whatever force necessary to gain sexual access to their wives.Janet Meyer,
M.A. 11/22/00 Page 4

The issue of sexual assault would not enter the consciousness of the U.S.

public until the feminist movement of the 1960s. Feminists saw rape as a

mechanism for maintaining patriarchy, a violent means of inducing fear in

women and reinforcing their subordination to men. This perspective has shaped
the way our culture defines and understands sexual assault today.

9. Family

Sexual violence endures in human societies, according to this paradigm,

because it is modeled by influential members of our society and has positive

results for the perpetrator. Children who are exposed to violence between their

parents are more likely to be involved in violent intimate relationships as adults.

The structure of the family seems to have an impact on the attitudes and

behaviors of children raised in them. Violent sex offenders have been found to

be more likely than other adults to have experienced poor parental child-rearing,

poor supervision, physical abuse, neglect, and separations from their parents.

10. Sexual Expectations and Rape Myths

Expectations transmitted by our culture typically encourage men to feel

superior, entitled, and that they should be always on the lookout for and ready to

initiate sex in their relationships with women. At the same time, these sexual

scripts teach women to feel responsible for setting the limits and pace of sexual

contact in their relationships with men. Rape myths typically deny the existence

of sexual assault, excuse it, and minimize the seriousness of it’s effects.

Acceptance of rape myths is correlated with sexually aggressive behavior.

11. Cultural Mores

Studies by anthropologists demonstrate the critical role that socio-cultural

mores play in defining and promoting violence against women. Cultures differ

in the amount of intimate partner violence, as well as the acceptability of this

violence. Nearly all societies tolerate rape and have mechanisms that perpetuate

violence.Janet Meyer, M.A. 11/22/00 Page 5

12. Media
 From the early days of the modern women’s movement, feminists

contended that pornography encouraged sexual aggression towards women by

portraying them as nothing more than sex objects, a view that is supported in the

research. It is depictions of violence against women, rather than sexually graphic

material, that encourage acceptance of violence and callousness toward women

who are its victims. Television and movies often send the message that violence

works.

13. Schools and Other Influences

Schools contribute to socialization supportive of violent behavior when

they reinforce sex role stereotypes and attitudes that condone the use of violence.

Participation in team sports may increase the risk of sexual aggression. Peers are

more influential in shaping individual behavior than biology, personality,

family, religion, or culture.

Conclusion

Generally, research on the causes of sexual assault has focused on two

types of theories – those rooted in characteristics of the individual offender, and

those that point to characteristics of the culture in which we live. Neither focus

nor any one theory totally explains the prevalence of sexually violent behaviors

in our society. Recent research in the field of sexual assault suggests an

integrated theory may have the best chance of explaining what causes sexual

violence in our society.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault and abuse is any type of sexual activity that you do not agree to, including:

 inappropriate touching
 vaginal, anal, or oral penetration

 sexual intercourse that you say no to

 rape

 attempted rape

 child molestation

Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual
contact or attention. Examples of this are voyeurism (when someone watches private sexual
acts), exhibitionism (when someone exposes him/herself in public), incest (sexual contact between
family members), and sexual harassment. It can happen in different situations, by a stranger in an
isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you know.

Rape is a common form of sexual assault. It is committed in many situations—on a date, by a friend
or an acquaintance, or when you think you are alone. Educate yourself on "date rape" drugs. They
can be slipped into a drink when a victim is not looking. Never leave your drink unattended—no matter
where you are. Try to always be aware of your surroundings. Date rape drugs make a person unable
to resist assault and can cause memory loss so the victim doesn't know what happened.

How can I protect myself from being sexually assaulted?

There are things you can do to reduce your chances of being sexually assaulted. Follow these tips
from the National Crime Prevention Council.

 Be aware of your surroundings—who's out there and what's going on.

 Walk with confidence. The more confident you look, the stronger you appear.

 Don't let drugs or alcohol cloud your judgment.

 Be assertive—don't let anyone violate your space.

 Trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in your surroundings, leave.

 Don't prop open self-locking doors.

 Lock your door and your windows, even if you leave for just a few minutes.

 Watch your keys. Don't lend them. Don't leave them. Don't lose them. And don't put your
name and address on the key ring.

 Watch out for unwanted visitors. Know who's on the other side of the door before you open it.

 Be wary of isolated spots, like underground garages, offices after business hours, and
apartment laundry rooms.

 Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route. Stay in well-traveled, well-

lit areas.

 Have your key ready to use before you reach the door—home, car, or work.

 Park in well-lit areas and lock the car, even if you'll only be gone a few minutes.

 Drive on well-traveled streets, with doors and windows locked.

 Never hitchhike or pick up a hitchhiker.

 Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
 In case of car trouble, call for help on your cellular phone. If you don't have a phone, put the
hood up, lock the doors, and put a banner in the rear mirror that says, "Help. Call police."