The Sexually Abused Adolescent

Psychological Processes in the Sexually Abused Adolescent
Emotion
Emotion is something that we all possess, whether we show it or not. When something happens in our lives how do we react to it? Does it have a life-long effect on who we are or who we become?
Sexual abuse can cause an emotional strain on anyone especially an adolescent. Let’s say the abuse happened in a place that was supposed to be safe and secure. It’s done by someone who is supposed to keep the adolescent safe from all hurt and danger, but now that person represents danger.   The adolescent then becomes emotionally unstable, and lacks self-worth. Some children are so damaged they cannot be fixed. In some cases, abused children grow up to be abusers. Then there’s the burden of keeping a secret that can’t be shared. This can lead to separation from others, and they start to feel used and responsible for what has happened, and often has difficulty trusting others. Trust issues can keep the adolescent from having meaningful relationships. Abuse becomes the norm to them and they began to seek “the norm”. Females may develop the “damaged goods” syndrome, feeling that no one believing the child if they to try to seek help. The emotional feeling of rejection may come about when trying to confide in another trusted family member who may or may not believe them can cause more emotional problems. The child may start acting out to gain the much needed attention that they need. Suicide rates get higher, drug use and alcoholism rise also. Pregnancy in adolescents is growing also. We should be careful who our children come in contact with. We can’t be too careful.
We as adults need to be able to see the signs of sexual abuse in our children. If our normally happy child begins to withdraw, from us something is wrong. We need to recognize the signs, and be quick to get them help. [continues]

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