Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse

            According to Hockenberry and Wilson (2013), a child who has been abused sexually may exhibit several physical and behavioral symptoms. These symptoms include

1. Bruises and or bleeding in the genital or rectal areas
2. Heightened fear of adults
3. Urinary and or bowel problems
4. Inflammation and or infection of the vaginal and or rectal openings
5. Social withdrawal
6. Advanced knowledge  of sexual activity
7. Increased sexual play
8. Sleep disturbance
9. Eating problems
10. Truancy

Social Withdrawal

            Social withdrawal is an avoidant behavior adopted by the victim of the sexual abuse to avoid the places, activities, people and objects that remind him or her about the abuse and the related emotions (ODonohue & Geer, 2013). The social withdrawal is reinforced by the reduction in fear, anxiety and negative memories every time the avoidance behavior occurs. For example, a child who has been abused by a male perpetrator will tend to avoid male relatives and teachers due to the association between males and sexual abuse. The child will experience reduced fear and anxiety every time she avoids the males. Furthermore, the child may exhibit an increased preference to play alone to avoid the fear and anxiety associated with physical contact. These associations lead to consistent social isolation.

References

Hockenberry, M., & Wilson, D. (2013). Wong’s Nursing Care of Infants and Children.

            Chatswood: Elsevier Health Sciences.

ODonohue, W. T., & Geer, J. H. (2013). The Sexual Abuse of Children: Volume II: Clinical

            Issues. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.