Sexual abuse in childhood is a worrying issue due to its prevalence in society and the consequences it implies both in the short and long term for the person who suffers it. In this Psciología-Online article we will address the topic of The symptoms, characteristics and consequences of childhood sexual abuse to focus on detecting cases early and knowing the magnitude of their consequences.
Symptoms of sexual abuse in babies
It must be taken into account that in the vast majority of cases, sexual abuse occurs between members of the family itself. In fact, some parents often miss signs of abuse because they don’t want to see or believe what is happening. In the case of babies, since we cannot communicate with them, we have to stop and observe them and above all, be constant when taking them to the pediatrician because they will be in charge of seeing if there are any types of injuries or internal bleeding.
Some of the symptoms that we can detect during observation are:
- defensive behavior that before he did not show before changing the diaper. For example: clenching your legs, fists or arching your head back).
- Suck many objects and present moans.
- Once older, play games with toys representing sexual scenes.
- Touching the genitals compulsively, not normally.
- Babies that they are much closer to a strange figure than to attachment figures.
Characteristics of having suffered sexual abuse
This type of behavior tends to be kept secret due to different factors: on the part of the victim, the fact of obtaining certain additional advantages, such as gifts, or the fear of not being believed, together with the fear of destroying the family or of retaliation. of the aggressor; and on the part of the abuser, the possible breakup of the couple and family and social rejection accompanied by possible legal sanctions. Main indicators of having suffered sexual abuse and that can help you detect it are the following:
Physical indicators of sexual abuse
- Pain, bumps, burns or wounds in the genital or anal area.
- Swollen or red cervix or vulva.
- Semen in the mouth, genitals or clothing.
- Underwear torn, stained, bloody.
- Sexually transmitted diseases.
- Difficulty walking and sitting.
- Enuresis or encopresis.
Behavioral indicators of sexual abuse
- Loss of appetite.
- Frequent crying, especially in relation to emotional or erotic moments.
- Fear of being alone, of a family member, or of men.
- Sudden rejection of one of the parents.
- Sudden changes in behavior.
- Resistance to undressing and bathing.
- Isolation, rejection of social relationships.
- School problems.
- Regressive fantasies or behaviors (thumb sucking, for example).
- Tendency towards secrecy.
- Aggression, escapes, criminal actions.
- Self-harm or suicide attempts.
Indicators in the sexual sphere
- I reject caresses, kisses, physical contact.
- Seductive behaviors (especially in girls).
- Precocious behavior or sexual knowledge inappropriate for their age.
- Exaggerated interest in the sexual behavior of adults.
- Sexual assault by a minor on another minor.
- Confusion about sexual orientation.
How do you know if you suffered abuse?
Often, after a traumatic event such as sexual abuse, our mind blocks the memories. It is a defense system that our body has to survive over-stressful events. However, the body has memory, and these types of issues can be forgotten or apparently blocked and reactivated with minimal details. If you haven’t remembered anything for years, memories are likely to appear In adulthood, if that happens, it is best to go to a specialist to help you overcome it. Feelings of guilt, shame, anger and fear are normal, they will disappear little by little with effort and treatment.
Consequences of sexual abuse in childhood
The consequences of having suffered sexual abuse in childhood can be very serious, at least 80% of victims suffer negative psychological effects. The extent of the psychological impact will depend on the degree of parental blaming of the child, as well as the coping strategies available to the victim. There are consequences of different kinds and they can be divided into:
Short term
- Physics: sleep problems, changes in eating habits, loss of sphincter control.
- Behavioral: drug or alcohol use, running away from home, self-harming or suicidal behavior, hyperactivity, poor academic performance.
- Emotional: generalized fear, hostility and aggressiveness, guilt and shame, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and feelings of stigmatization, rejection of one’s own body, distrust and resentment towards adults, .
- Sexual: early or age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, compulsive masturbation, excessive sexual curiosity, exhibitionist behaviors, sexual identity problems.
- Social: deficit in social skills, social withdrawal, antisocial behaviors.
Long-term
Long-term effects are less frequent and more diffuse than the initial consequences, but they can affect at least 30% of victims. Between the consequences in adult victims of sexual abuse in childhood we find:
- Physics: general chronic pain, hypochondria and somatization disorders, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, (especially bulimia).
- Behavioral: suicide attempts, drug and/or alcohol consumption, ,
- Emotional: depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, post-traumatic stress, distrust and fear, difficulty expressing or receiving feelings of tenderness and intimacy.
- Sexual: sexual phobias or aversions, lack of sexual satisfaction, belief of being valued by others solely for sex.
- Social: problems in interpersonal relationships, isolation, difficulties in raising children.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
Bibliography
- Echeburúa, E. & de Corral, P. (2006). Emotional consequences in victims of childhood sexual abuse. Forensic Med Squad, 12(43-44), 75-82.
- Madroñal, M. How to know if I was abused as a child. MothersToday. Recovered from:https://madreshoy.com/como-saber-si-abusaron-de-mi-en-la-infancia/
- Moreno, F. Protocol to recognize babies who were sexually abused. TheSynthesis. Retrieved from: https://www.lasintesis.com.ar/nota-protocolo-para-recognizer-bebes-que-fueron-abusados-sexualmente-88067