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Childhood Sexual Abuse
from: ParentingKidsToday.comOne of the quickest ways to effectively take away a kid's childhood is through abuse; regardless if is physical, emotional or sexual, as it is a manipulative process done strictly for the benefit of the abuser. Generally, the abuser will begin manipulating a child by forming a relationship that becomes more sexual, either by suggestion, by showing graphic material or by an increasing display of affection that leads to more intimate touching. This child maltreatment usually becomes more open and will include direct and physical forms of exposure.
Many times subtle or even not so subtle demands for secrecy continue to increase and may include direct or implied threats. The abuser will tell these exploited children that harm will come to them or perhaps a family member if they tell anyone.
Generally, the manipulation will occur subtly over a period of time and most often it is with a trusted person, which results in the child being trapped in a situation with no idea how they got there. The more their mental health declines, the more fearful they become. They are not just afraid of the threats but that they may be blamed and held responsible for what is happening. At this vital point in their childhood, the abuser has managed to physically, emotionally and psychologically trap the child.
However, children in these situations do continue to feel an emotional conflict and it continues to escalate, which then results in the disruption of normal behavior. Since they are unable to tell anyone for any number of different reasons, such as fear or shame, they tend to act out. For school children this may be in the form of poor performance, truancy or even bullying.
When dealing with sexual, physical or emotional abuse one must realize that the problems associated with abuse will generally follow them past childhood into adulthood. This may result in inappropriate boundaries while in a relationship, which in turn may cause them to either withdraw from any type of intimate relationship. As well, it has the potential to push them to the other side of the extreme by engaging in promiscuous behavior. Statements that claim child protection issues, such as sexual abuse, are a crime is an understatement; it is one of the most insidious acts that seriously undermines and affects the social, emotional and psychological well-being of the abuse victim.
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