Firstly I would like to say that this is a very intricate subject and the effects are different on everyone. The person, the personality/characteristics of a person, their support system and their environment has much to do with how the issues manifest itself. The following information stories and personal experiences are limited to the subjects involved but will be beneficial nevertheless. Please read with an open mind…S.P.R.R.C.
What Is Child Sexual Abuse?
At the extreme end of the spectrum,
sexual abuse includes sexual intercourse or its deviations. Yet all offences
that involve sexually touching a child, as well as non-touching offenses and
sexual exploitation, are just as harmful and devastating to a child’s
well-being.
Touching sexual offenses include:
- Fondling;
- Being made to touch a sexual organs; and
- Penetrating a vagina or anus no matter how
slight with a penis or any object that doesn’t have a valid medical
purpose.
Non-touching sexual offenses
include:
- Engaging in indecent exposure or exhibitionism;
- Exposing children to pornographic material;
- Deliberately exposing a child to the act of sexual
intercourse; and
- Masturbating in front of a child.
Sexual exploitation can include:
- Engaging a child or soliciting a child for the purposes
of prostitution; and
- Using a child to film, photograph or model pornography.
These definitions are broad. In most
states, the legal definition of child molestation is an act of a person—adult
or child—who forces, coerces or threatens a child to have any form of sexual
contact or to engage in any type of sexual activity at the perpetrator’s
direction. (1)
The above definition gives a clear picture of just what constitutes sexual abuse. Some of the examples such as the non-touching and exploitation are subtle at times and these are the things that are not most often NEVER reported or dealt with or even viewed as abuse. However, it is and there are adverse effects.
I used to work in the school setting and got to experience these types of effects with my own eyes. 3-4 year old discussing sexual acts like they were 30. “WOW”. I thought. These were babies, talking like adults (experienced adults) and had no shame in it. Of course there was an investigation done and it revealed that the father was a porn addict and allows his child to see it thinking it was funny. Little did he know that he was opening a door to future issues and an unhealthy view of sex. Kids at that age can NOT decipher feelings and emotions related to sex…their minds are just too innocent and pure. So, to expose a child to this interrupts a healthy sexual view and often NEVER addressed. This child then does what he sees…just like a child but their boundaries are as a child too so you may see them openly acting out on another child, role playing with toys or speaking on the subject with extreme interest. These are just some effects.
How to avoid this: DON’T EXPOSE THE CHILD TO PORN! NEVER!
The above definition gives a clear picture of just what constitutes sexual abuse. Some of the examples such as the non-touching and exploitation are subtle at times and these are the things that are not most often NEVER reported or dealt with or even viewed as abuse. However, it is and there are adverse effects.
I used to work in the school setting and got to experience these types of effects with my own eyes. 3-4 year old discussing sexual acts like they were 30. “WOW”. I thought. These were babies, talking like adults (experienced adults) and had no shame in it. Of course there was an investigation done and it revealed that the father was a porn addict and allows his child to see it thinking it was funny. Little did he know that he was opening a door to future issues and an unhealthy view of sex. Kids at that age can NOT decipher feelings and emotions related to sex…their minds are just too innocent and pure. So, to expose a child to this interrupts a healthy sexual view and often NEVER addressed. This child then does what he sees…just like a child but their boundaries are as a child too so you may see them openly acting out on another child, role playing with toys or speaking on the subject with extreme interest. These are just some effects.
How to avoid this: DON’T EXPOSE THE CHILD TO PORN! NEVER!
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