Understanding child sexual abuse and the long- results of the abuse on the individual - Term Paper Example

Sexual abuse is traumatic and life changing for juveniles, it dehumanizes them and can cause severe psychological or physical problems. When juveniles are subjected to sexual abuse it can change their lives forever. The following paper will address some of the long term affects that sexual abuse can have on juveniles. The purpose of the paper is to show what long-term effects occur and the negative results of these. Sexual abuse is the unwanted sexually based attention of one person to another generally being committed by an acquaintance of the minor.

Each state in the United States has various legal approaches and definitions for sexual abuse of a minor. Pornographic exploitation and child prostitution are all addressed as wrong and generally subcategories under child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse of a minor is generally accepted as being committed by someone that is related to or with whom the child is directly acquainted. One dictionary terms sexual abuse as, “Illegal sex acts performed against a minor by a parent, guardian, relative, or acquaintance” (Sexual Abuse, 2011).

In 1974 the first major piece of Federal legislation was passed regarding child abuse, titled the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) this piece of legislation defines sexual abuse as, “the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct” (CAPTA, 2011). . The report goes on to say that additional problems may be involved as well; family relates stress as well as substance abuse.

These two contributing factors, family stress and substance abuse can be results of early child sexual abuse themselves lending credence to the idea that child sexual abuse is a problem that continues in a cyclical nature through families. Substance abuse specifically can have wide-reaching effects ranging from chemically induced psychological issues to familial problems. Alcoholism can increase the potential for cancer by as much as 4% it can also be a causative factor in spousal abuse, child abuse and other violent and devastating crimes against others.

Abuse of substances other than alcohol has been shown to cause heart disease and other physical problems. Further the abuse of illegal substances can induce psychotic episodes resulting in criminal action that may harm another individual. According to the Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies some of the results of alcoholism are, “Lost productivity, accidents, injuries, illnesses, property damage, violence and higher utilization of health, social and criminal justice systems contribute to this significant financial burden” (UNC School of Medicine, 2011) Psychological problems may be exacerbated by extended substance abuse as well.

The victims of child sexual abuse tend to have a higher rate of psychological problems later in life as a result of their early life traumas specifically sexual abuse. Some of the ways these psychological issues may manifest is in the inability to function properly within social circles and the general withdrawal from society. Additionally survivors of child sexual abuse may have difficulty preforming adequately in academic and