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Sexual Abuse Trauma Alicia Robinson Sexual Abuse Trauma Sexual abuse today has become a wide scale issue. It has various negative effects – both long term and short term – on the victim. These effects range from severe mental trauma to physical injury that may take a very long time to heal. Among the most common effects of sexual abuse are post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and dissociation (Joyful Heart Foundation, 2014). According to the organization, RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) (2014), 15 percent of the rape and sexual assault victims are children aged under 12 years.

Duncan (2004) notes that women who do not recover fully from childhood sexual abuse can feel the traumatic effects throughout their life. The victims of sexual abuse present different symptoms of impairments including anxiety, anger, aggression, inappropriate sexual behavior, and so on (Finkelman, 1995). Among the long term effects, Finkelman (1995) and Briere (1992) have pointed out that depression, anxiety, isolation, low self-esteem, and other symptoms are visible among the victims.Perhaps the most alarming feature of the issue is its wide prevalence in the society.

Many adults may have gone through childhood sexual abuse but the memories could have been repressed. Although this is one natural form of coping with the trauma and stress, the incident still has potential effects throughout the life of an individual who has not fully recovered from the past experience. Clinicians working with sexual abuse patients often report distressing stories of survivors which reflects the extent of the problem in the society. Although there are many organizations, mostly non-profit, that are working for the cause, the issue seems to lack larger involvement that it requires.

ReferencesBriere, J. (1992). Child abuse trauma (1st ed.). Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.Duncan, K. (2004). Healing from the trauma of childhood sexual abuse (1st ed.). Westport, Conn.: Praeger.Finkelman, B. (1995). Child abuse (1st ed.). New York: Garland Pub.Joyful Heart Foundation,. (2014). Effects of Sexual Assault and Rape. Retrieved 10 October 2014, from http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/learn/sexual-assault-rape/effects-sexual-assault-and-rapeRAINN. (2014). Who are the Victims?. Retrieved 10 October 2014, from https://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/sexual-assault-victims