Sexual abuse is a type of physical abuse which entails forcing an undesired sexual behavior from one person to another. Sexual abuse is also called molestation. Sexual abuse also covers any type of behavior that is performed by an adult towards a child that results in sexual stimulation for either the adult or the child.
Types of Sexual Abuse
There are various different types of sexual abuse which range from child sexual abuse to adult sexual abuse, sexual assault to rape. Sexual abuse may be performed forcefully in the form of rape or it may be performed to a child in an instance where the child is unaware of the wrongdoing. Kissing, fondling, exposing a child to pornography, touching an adult or a child that does not want to be touched or using trust to compel a person who doesn’t want to take part in sexual activity to do so anyway is all considered sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse may be instigated by a spouse and this type of sexual abuse is considered a form of domestic violence. The act of incest is also considered a type of sexual abuse. Additionally, voyeurism and exhibitionism are also types of sexual abuse.
Symptoms of Sexual Abuse
Various physical and behavioral signs or symptoms may be present when a person has been the victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse victims may masturbate excessively, have aggressive behavior towards their family members, friends or pets, and they may show signs of physical trauma to the genital area. Additionally, children who persistently engage in sexual play with friends or with their toys or pets may also be showing signs of sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse victims may suffer from unexplained pregnancy, recurrent urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Sexually transmitted diseases are also a common symptom associated with sexual abuse. Women may show signs of bruising or bleeding in the rectal, thigh or genital areas as a result of sexual abuse.
Behavioral symptoms associated with sexual abuse include anxiety when confronted with certain people or when in certain areas, changed eating habits that resemble eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia or depression. Victims of sexual abuse may focus on trying not to be attractive to others, they may show fear for certain people, and they may even have suicidal thoughts. Sexual abuse can cause memory loss, withdrawal from friends and family and difficulty concentrating.
Treatment for Sexual Abuse
Various treatment programs exist for sexual abuse victims. In many cases, the victims of sexual abuse are left to deal with the after effects of the sexual abuse and the memories that have been created as a result of the sexual abuse. Sexual abuse victims may suffer from various psychological disorders as a result of the memories of the sexual abuse. Dissociative identity disorder or MPD are both common side effects of long term sexual abuse as a child.
People who have been sexually abused may also become addicted to drugs and or alcohol as a result or their addictions to drugs and alcohol may have resulted in sexual abuse. These individuals must get treatment for the drug addiction in addition to treatment for the sexual abuse. Drug rehab centers can treat the addiction side and then counselors or therapists can help the individual work through the psychological aspects of sexual abuse. Treatment for both the sexual abuse and the drug addiction is necessary in order to help prevent future relapse.
Sexual abuse treatment may include various types of therapy depending on the type of sexual abuse that the victim has suffered from. For those who have lifestyles that place them in harm’s way and at risk for sexual abuse cognitive behavioral therapy may be beneficial. This type of therapy works to change the behaviors and the thoughts of and individual so that they can make positive outcomes from their thoughts.
Sexual abuse treatment may take many forms and this all depends on the extent of the sexual abuse. Therapy and counseling is effective at treating the memories that are related to sexual abuse. Drug rehab centers can provide treatment for any dual diagnosis that may occur and include drug addiction.
