Impact of Child Sexual Abuse on Victims
The damages caused by child sexual abuse last a long time without the proper healing. Dr. Phil explains the impact on victims:
- Damage to self-concept/self-esteem, feeling “dirty,” or like “damaged goods”
- Feelings of guilt, shame, despair and anger
- Belief that sexuality/physicality is “all I have to offer”
- High risk of promiscuity, hyper-sexuality, sexual identity problems or negative sexual encounters
- High risk of teen pregnancy
- High risk of aggressive and suicidal behavior
- High risk of substance abuse and other acting out or high-risk behavior
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Disrupted sleep patterns and nightmares
- Regression to more infantile behavior (bed-wetting, etc.)
- Problems with memory, cognition and attentiveness
- Change in appetite or eating behaviors
- Inability to trust others
- Controlling behaviors or involvement in exploitative relationships
- Powerlessness, vulnerability and avoidant responses, such as running away
- Tendency to withdraw from relationships and society
- A fear of intimacy or commitment
- Paranoia/hyper-vigilance/phobias
- Re-victimization
- Higher incidence of mental and emotional disorders, such as anxiety, depression or eating disorders
