Research Paper Sample on Child Sexual Abuse

“Child sexual abuse is defined as sexual activity with a child by an adult, adolescent or older child. If any adult engages in sexual activity with a child, that is sexual abuse. If another child or adolescent engages in sexual activity with a child” (“Child Sexual Abuse Definition & Facts”). These disgusting acts will leave children with problems they will have to deal with for the rest of their lives. The problem is that this subject is not spoken about enough. Long-term effects of sexual abuse in children should be more recognized due to the fact that children can get the mental and physical care they deserve; it will bring awareness to this taboo subject and provide protection to other children who could fall victim to those crimes.

Children who fall victim to sexual abuse should go and get the help that is needed for them. “The longer the sexual abuse, the more negatively it impacts a child’s emotional and physical growth and development. Child victims of long periods of sexual abuse often develop low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, depressed, intentionally harm themselves, and/or become suicidal” (“Sexual Abuse”). Victims must get the help they deserve as soon as possible. They must always be taken seriously. Every child deserves to have an opportunity to have their voice heard and know that what they have to say is not useless. “When someone knows that their voice will be heard and taken seriously, it gives them the courage to speak up when something isn’t right. You can start having these conversations with your children as soon as they begin using words to talk about feelings or emotions” (“How Can I Protect My Child from Sexual Assault?”).   Many adults believe that because the victims are young, they are not able to understand the heavyweight of these kinds of situations fully, but children are more intelligent than they seem. They are able to feel when something is wrong and want to be able to have someone to talk to whether that be a professional or someone in their lives that they are close to and trust. 

Children would be more open to the idea of speaking about their experiences if it was not considered a taboo subject that should be kept a secret. “Every 9 minutes child protective services substantiates, or finds evidence for, a claim of child sexual abuse” “Among cases of child sexual abuse reported to law enforcement 7% are strangers 59% are acquaintances  34% are family members” (“Children and Teens: Statistics”). Parents need to have a serious conversation with their child/children to be able to keep them safe. This situation is more common than people want to believe. Still, if everyone were more educated on this topic, more children would be more open to getting the help they need knowing that they are not alone in those situations. Sexual abuse could also be non-touching acts. They aren’t as talked about, but they are just as dangerous. Exposure to pornography/photography of a child for sexual gratification and communication sexually by phone, internet, or face to face.  Anyone can be a victim of these acts and might not even know it. It could start with a basic casual conversation but slowly lead to sexual exchanges. It is elementary for children to be exposed to pornography now with the internet boom. And having sexual communication via phone or face to face is very hard for a child to get out of once they are in that situation. These non-touching acts could lead to things getting physical, so this must be stopped sooner rather than later. Children can have an outlet to get their emotions and trauma.

Most adults do not want to bring up that type of conversation because they were raised to push taboo topics such as this to the side. If you do not talk about it then it does not happen that is the kind of mindset most adults have when it comes to the subject of sexual abuse in children. Teens choose to be ignorant. They are very capable to be able to educating younger siblings or friends around them but choose to turn their heads like the adults and push it aside. This type of behavior will only continue the problem that society faces now. Being open to tough conversations will help inform people that this is real. Sexual abuse happens to many children taking a step back and understanding that loved ones around you could have been victims of such repulsive corruption can be an eye-opener to anyone.

Finding the warning signs early on if a child does not feel comfortable expressing their discomfort with the situation will help others figure out ways to keep their child safe. For example, “Has sudden change in eating habits” “Sudeen mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity or withdrawal” “Develops new or unusual fear of certain people of places” “Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad” “Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language and knowledge”(“Tip Sheet: Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse in A Child’s Behaviors”). These sudden changes should not be pushed aside and be labeled as the child misbehaving. These sudden changes can tell a million words if someone pays close attention to them.

Works Cited

“10 Common Truths of Child Sexual Abuse.” Child Rescue Coalition, 1 Oct. 2021, https://childrescuecoalition.org/educations/10-common-truths-of-child-sexual-abuse/.

AACAP. “Sexual Abuse.” Aacap.Org, https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Child-Sexual-Abuse-009.aspx. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.

“Child Sexual Abuse Definition & Facts.” Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, 6 Feb. 2019, https://www.preventchildabusenc.org/resource-hub/about-child-sexual-abuse/.

“Children and Teens: Statistics.” Rainn.Org, https://www.rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens. Accessed 7 Apr. 2022.

“How Can I Protect My Child from Sexual Assault?” Rainn.Org, https://www.rainn.org/articles/how-can-i-protect-my-child-sexual-assault. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022.

“Parents Protect - Effects of Sexual Abuse on Children.” Parentsprotect.Co.Uk, https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/effects-of-sexual-abuse-on-children.htm. Accessed 31 Mar. 2022.

“Tip Sheet: Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse in A Child’s Behaviors.” Stopitnow.Org, https://www.stopitnow.org/ohc-content/warning-signs-possible-abuse. Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.