Effects, Intervention, and Issues about Child Sexual Abuse - Assignment Example

? An Analysis of Effects, Intervention, and Issues about Child Sexual Abuse First M. al Affiliation An Analysis of Effects,Intervention, and Issues about Child Sexual Abuse The sexual abuse of children is evident in most communities worldwide. Petrak and Hedge (2002) define rape or sexual abuse as “any non-consensual sexual penetration of an adolescent or an adult obtained by physical force, by threat of bodily harm, or when the victim is incapable of giving consent by virtue of mental illness, mental retardation, or intoxication.” In the case study of Sandra, who underwent counseling caused by her depression issues, it is evident that she confronted some challenges that may trigger her behavioral responses while in the process of undergoing treatment of sexual trauma. This essay seeks to explain (i) effects of sexual trauma on Sandra, (ii) specific interventions, (iii) cultural, ethical, and legal issues to Sandra’s treatment, (iv) and interventions to be selected if Sandra happens to be a male. Effects of Child Sexual Trauma on Sandra Hunter (2009) claimed that children who were exposed to sexual advances display symptoms of depression, trauma, stress, and the difficulty to cope with the reality compared to men. However, the effects of sexual abuse vary because of individual differences, culture, and relationships (Hunter, 2009, p. 392). Moreover, 5 out of 10 children who were sexually abused suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Frazier, West-Olatunji, St. Juste, & Goodman, 2009). The signs of PTSD, occurring after a victim survives a traumatic ordeal, can include depression, deterioration in the victim’s social ties, and abnormal sexual behaviors (Williams & Sommers, 1992). This explains the sexual promiscuity seen in the case of Sandra, a victim of child sexual abuse, who admitted to having sexual relations with numerous male partners. Furthermore, Bagley (1996), in his studies on long-term effects of rape on young girls, reported that victims were affected more by what significant others say about them. Indeed, Sandra was excited about her responsibility to her child. The positive feedback that she would get from her significant others for her child-rearing was good for her sense of self. Specific Interventions to be Use to Help Sandra deal with Sexual Trauma Effects The rehabilitation of sexually assaulted children begins in school through special support groups that facilitate an open and loving atmosphere (Williams & Sommers, 1992). The support groups will involve teachers, guidance counselors, volunteers, and advocates. In any case, Sorsoli, Kia-Keating, and Grossman (2008) stated that it is important that the victim fully discloses so that interventions are given, and it enabled the release of pent-up emotions that the victim has suffered all throughout. For both genders, it is important to inject gender socialization in the treatments given to them, as well. These related studies on emotional catharsis will attest to the effectivity of the psychotherapeutic process. Suffice to say, Sandra would feel better when she will be given the chance to talk about her ordeal, her thoughts, and her feelings about it. In any event, her full recovery is a process that is long and arduous. Art, as a tool in psychotherapy, can also help children who were sexually abused. For instance, by drawing pictures, victims can project their thoughts and emotions (Murphy, 2001, p. 23). The positive psychological effects that victims feel, when they are given the opportunity to open up, is undeniable. Ethical, Cultural, and Legal Issues Related to Sandra’s Treatment The treatment of sexual trauma to Sandra is a sensitive thing to discuss due to various ethical, cultural, and legal reasons. There is a concern on how rape cases are assessed themselves. The challenge is in verifying if the reported sexual assault meets the criteria of rape (Wyatt, 2007). Wyatt (2007) further cited, of 576 reports of alleged child sexual abuse in Denver, 132 were false. In other words, these allegations of sexual abuse were unsubstantiated and fictional. Sandra’s recollection of the many times that she was sexually abused is graphic and detailed, but its accurateness is not guaranteed. Moreover, influence or the extent, to which the clinician persuades or coerces the client to undergo different kinds of therapies, is also an ethical dilemma (Vonk, 1998). Psychotherapists are governed by their own judgment on the extent of coercion and inducement towards their client. The dilemma is expressed in terms of how much control they shall impose to their clients without violating their rights to approve of such and their rights as human beings. The negative stigma that society has on the victims of child sexual abuse is a major concern (Bagley, 2006). The ambivalence of the mother towards her daughter’s plea for help might be culturally motivated. Undoubtedly, child sexual abuse is still taboo even if it is a regular occurrence in some families around the world. The Effects of Trauma and Interventions Selected if Sandra has been a Male The psychological effects of trauma could be apparently experienced in the individual’s relationships toward other people and with the external environment. The treatment may involve the need for safety, developing useful material in response to traumatic experience, and gaining support for oneself (Marvasti, 2004, p. 158). The treatment for psychological trauma, however, commonly uses pharmacological interventions and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for treating PTSD (p. 158). On one hand, male victims of child sexual abuse tend to experience the same gamut of psychological effects. According to Ray (2001), when they grow up, boys may resort to alcoholism or substance abuse to handle the stress caused by the rape. Like in the case of Sandra, female victims can experience the desire to drink to cope with the stress that comes with sexual abuse. Conclusion The permanent, emotional effects of child sexual abuse deter personality development and social relationships. Therefore, a reliable, scientific method for assessment and treatment should be established. In any case, psychologists, lawmakers, and the police are doing everything they can to keep children safe from sexual assault. Hence, in Sandra’s case, it is essential to provide necessary interventions to the adverse effects caused by sexual trauma, which will eventually help her to recover. References Bagley, C. (1996) Typology of sexual abuse: The interaction of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse as predictors of adult psychiatric sequelae in women. The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 5(2), 101-112. Bagley, C., & King, K. (1990). Child sexual abuse: The search for healing. London, ENG: Tavistock-Routledge. Frazier, K. N, West-Olatunji, C. A., St. Juste, S., & Goodman, R. D. (2009). Transgenerational trauma and child sexual abuse: Reconceptualizing cases involving young survivors of CSA. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 31(1), 22-33. Hunter, H.V. (2009). Beyond surviving gender differences in response to early sexual experiences with adults. Journal of Family Issues, 30(3), 391-406. Marvasti, J. (2004). Psychiatric treatment of sexual offenders: Treating the past traumas in traumatizers. Springfield: Charles C Thomas Publisher, Ltd. Murphy, J. (Ed.). (2001). Art therapy with young survivors of sexual abuse: Lost for words. East Sussex: Brunner-Routledge. Petrak, J., & Hedge P. (2002). The trauma of sexual assault: Treatment, prevention, and practice. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Ray, S. L. (2001). Male survivors’ perspectives of incest/sexual abuse. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 37(2), 49-59. Sorsoli, L., Kia-Keating, M., & Grossman, F. K. (2008). I keep that hush-hush: Male survivors of sexual abuse and the challenges of disclosure. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 55(3), 333-345. Vonk, E. M. (1999). An ethic care: A framework for ethical decision making with survivors of sexual assault. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, 19(1), 49-62. Williams, M. B., & Sommers, J. Jr. (1992). Handbook of post-traumatic therapy. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Wyatt, W.J. (2007). A Behavior analytic look at contemporary issues in the assessment of child abuse. The Behavior Analyst Today, 8(2), 145. Read More