Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Effects of Sexual Abuse

According to the U.S. Department of Juvenile Justice, more than three million people in the United States are psychologically damaged each year as a result of sexual abuse and other acts of violence. Sexual abuse leaves a myriad of emotional scars on those who are affected. Although each case and each individual is different, survivors of sexual abuse often share many of the same traits. Survivors of sexual abuse often have issues with trust, and this can cause relationship issues as well as broken relationships. They have trouble having fun and often suffer from depression and anxiety. The depression and anxiety can lead to thoughts of suicide as well as actual suicide. Survivors of sexual abuse often live in extremes and have trouble keeping balance in their lives.

Promiscuity can also result from sexual abuse, and survivors may have trouble setting appropriate boundaries with others. In some cases, survivors of sexual abuse are driven into prostitution. Many survivors have trouble parenting their own children because they have never been exposed to a functional and loving model of parenthood. Many survivors of sexual abuse live with shame and guilt and blame themselves for their abuse. The emotional damage caused by sexual abuse can lead to psychosomatic illnesses such as ulcers, migraines and panic attacks. It can also lead to sleep disorders, alcohol and drug dependency, rage, fear and phobias, codependency, eating disorders and even  post – traumatic stress disorder. These are just some of the problems that can develop as a result of sexual abuse. There are many more.