First I want to explain how "sexual abuse" is defined. The Journal of American Medical Association defines sexual abuse of children as "any sexual act or sexual contact with a child performed by an adult or an older child" (Hwang 1888). There are indirect forms of sexual abuse as well, they include: "showing a child an adult's genitalia, showing a child pornographic pictures or videotapes, and using a child as a model for pornography" (Hwang 1888). Another definition of sexual abuse is "being touched or fondled against one's will" (McLeer 1329). Having someone "attempt interc

Sexual abuse affects its victims from the time of the incident to sometimes through adulthood. A way to tell if a child has been sexually abused is if the child shows sexualized behavior, such as sexualized play with dolls (Siegel 74). As a result of this type of abuse some children may experience anxiety, depression, or have low self-esteem (Siegel 75-77). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a major anxiety disorder with disabling symptoms that can persist over time (McLeer 1330). I have read that some PTSD symptoms do not arise until years later. Some children may have suicidal thoughts. Many children often feel responsible for their own abuse (Henry 502). Many who are sexually abuse by an adult learn that they cannot trust adults (Kinnear 14). Sexual abuse has been found to be negatively related to a female's sexual drive (Meston 390). This means that if a female was sexually abused when she was a child, her sex drive would be lower than normal. Some children may also show aggressive behavior, including felony assaults or criminal behavior, such as destroying private property or stealing valuables, after being abuse (Garnefski 325). Some children will show problems in school after an abuse (Siegel 77). When someone that is known to the child abuses him/her, he/she often "experiences higher degrees of anxiety and ambivalence" (Mayhall 186). Even worse is "if the abuser has subsequently been excluded form the family" and "legal action" has been taken where the "child's testimony is needed" the "child's guilt and ambivalence increases" (Mayhall 186).

Some people believe that only girls are sexually abused, but not boys (Kinnear 12). Karin Kinnear replies to this statement but saying "boys are sexually abused more often than girls" (12). Most do not think about boys being sexually abused and the effects it has on them. Cases of boys being sexually abused are reported less than cases of sexual abuse on girls. Although this doesn't mean that it doesn't happen. The National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse found and researched data about sexually abused boys and girls. The data states "1 in every 5 boys and 1 in every 3 girls was sexually abused by their parents" (Billingsley 20). But the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse found this information false (Billingsley 20). This just shows that not everything that

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Approximate Word count = 1588
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)