Sexual abuse also known as molestation isusually undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is a universalproblem with grave life outcomes. The number of case reported in India wasfound to be high in India as well as throughout the world. The child abuse casein India is an unreported offence, which has now reached to an epidemicproportion.
Although child sexual abuse (CSA) is recognized as a seriousviolation of human beings and of the law, yet there is no developed mechanismthat ensure that none of their youthwill be sexually abused, sadly it is a problem of great magnitude that affectchildren of all ages, sexes, races, ethnicities and socioeconomic classes Childabuse (CSA) actually is broken down into four categories: neglect, physicalabuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. While having different forms and levelof severity, it can be defined as the maltreatment of a child, usually thefirst thing that comes to mind is physical harm, but the issue is actually muchmore complex. Sexual abuse towards children is a stark reality world.
It is amultidimensional problem having social, medical and psychological implications.These acts are performed mainly by trusted friends, family members, and peoplewith all sexual orientation. It includes many type of abusive acts towardschildren such as sexual assault, attempted intercoarse, fondling of genitalsdirectly or through clothing, etc.because of increased rate of child sexualabuse there is an increase in the prevalence of sexually transmitted disease (STD)cases among children. Statistically, girls are more often the victim of sexualabuse. However, it is observed that males do not report their case as often.The gender gap may be caused by higher victimization of girls, lowerwillingness of men to disclose abuse or both. The main reason of sexual abuseis the misuse of the power of their position.
For example- sexual harassment ineducation. It might involve a student submitting to sexual advances of a personin power in fear of being given a failing grade or fear of being punished.Child sexual abuse(CSA) is a traumatic experience affecting the life of thevictim in long term measure as well as the life of their close one too. Thevictim has to deal with this experience the rest of their lives. It isn’tlimited to sexual or physical contact there are examples of noncontact abusealso such as displaying pornography, having sexualized conversation with thechild, watching a child undressed. The physical child abuse effects vary fromchild to child, depending on the following factors: the severity of thephysical abuse, frequency of the physical abuse, age of the child when physicalabuse began ,child’s relationship with the abuser, and child’s ability to cope up with this. The effectof child sexual abuse is wide ranging and last for forever.
Children who arevictim of sexual abuse often know the perpetrator in some way. Some may be able to cope up with this but mostof the victims cannot cope up emotionally as well as mentally. Often due toshame or guilt they will they keep the abuse to themselves and do not tellanyone about the problems they are facing. The person going through all thisfaces certain attached disorder, for instance, an aversion to touch andphysical attention, the child might flinch or even say “ouch “when touched andperceived it as a threat, anger might be expressed directly, the child facedifficulty in showing affection and care towards strangers, the child might actlike he or she does not have a conscience and might fail to show guilt, regret,depression, poor eating disorder. While some children may exhibit regressivebehavior such as bedwetting.
The child may withdraw from school and socialactivities and show problem in learning. The term sexual abuse cannot be clearlydefined with ease. In fact, it is an umbrella term for any sort of situation,whether or not it involves physical contact, in which a sexually immature childis exposed to anything sexual in nature. Because no child is psychologicallymature enough for sexual stimulation, the complex feelings associated with itare mentally and emotionally disfiguring. As we know the case of child abusethere is a need to educate children about sex and taught themselves self-protectionskills.
As Medical professionals have a key role in detecting child sexual abuse(CSA), they are often the first point of contact with abused children and theirfamilies. As a result of more rigorous research studies in this field ourunderstanding of the impact of childhood sexual abuse is becoming more nuancedand a robust body of research evidence now clearly demonstrates the linkbetween child sexual abuse and a spectrum of adverse mental health. Anincreased risk of revictimisation of survivors has also been demonstratedconsistently for both men and women survivors. More recent research hasrevealed a link between child abuse and personality, psychotic disorder as wellas a heightened risk for suicide ideation and suicidal behavior. Futureresearch in this area needs to continue to tease out gender difference invictim’s experiences of childhood sexual abuse. In order to prevent child abusethe society must recognize the types of abuse, know the characteristic ofabusers, and realize the effect that abuse has not just on the child but onfamily as well. This understanding willassist in the identification, treatment and prevention of child sexual abuse. Hence,the problem of child sexual abuse needs to be addressed through less ambiguousand stringent punishment.
