Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation Week
What is child sexual abuse?
Forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities. The child does not need to be aware of what is happening. Activities committed could include physical contact or non-contact activities. Abuse by either penetration or non-penetrative acts including masturbation, kissing, rubbing, and touching outside clothing. Non-contact activities include sexual images, sexual activities or encouraging inappropriate sexual behaviour.
What is child sexual exploitation?
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. Individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power: coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person into sexual activity. There are two purposes either a) exchange for something the victim needs or wants or b) financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.
Methods of abuse:
Grooming: Manipulate children to gain their trust and compliance. Giving gifts, providing alcohol or drugs, or using compliments to make them feel special. Children feel as if they 'owe' the perpetrator for the presents and attention received.
Exploiting vulnerability: Perpetrators make deliberate and carefully planned efforts to sexually abuse children. It is common to target those with emotional trauma or circumstances to make them more vulnerable. For those with learning or physical disabilities, many will target them in the belief that they will be less likely to report the sexual abuse occurring.
Abusing positions of trust and authority: Create opportunities to be alone with children. Reputation and authority could be used to deflect and discredit accusations if concerns are raised.
The effects of child sexual abuse:
Interpersonal relationships: The damaging impact it has on the ability to form and maintain close and loving relationships. Preventing others from being able to help and offer support.
Intimate relationships: Relationships can remind victims and survivors of the sexual abuse. Emotional barriers make it difficult to talk about sexual abuse with partners.
Parents and siblings: Perpetrators can be family members or close friends. Sometimes they have disclosed information and felt that they are not believed in the circumstances. They can feel responsible for changes to family dynamics and the well-being of family members. Ultimately it can lead to loneliness and isolation.
The effects on children:
Effect on emotional well-being and mental health: Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse cope and respond to abuse in different ways. Psychological harm and physical injuries sustained. Children can experience a range of emotions. Common issues include depression, lack of trust in authority, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, self-harming, and attempted suicide.
Effect on physical health: Poorer physical health, with children sustaining physical injuries during the sexual abuse. Internal damage to the body or contracting sexually transmitted disease as a result of the abuse.
Effect on religion and faith: They may use spirituality as a coping mechanism for resilience and recovery. Common to feel disillusioned with religion and spiritual beliefs after sexual abuse. They can feel abandoned, punished, and question their understanding of the world.
Support for children and families:
Supporting services
Therapeutic services (counselling)
Emotional and mental health services
Court process
Resources made for professionals
Influencing government and decision-makers
Increasing public awareness
Until the next Legal Thought,
Elicia Maxwell
Sources:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-abuse/ https://www.rainn.org/articles/child-sexual-abuse
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