Sexual Abuse Statistics

1 to of 4 females and 10% of males will experience childhood sexual abuse.  The actual statistics are hard to determine because it is often not reported.  Experts agree that the incidences are far greater than what is reported.  Men often have an even more greater difficulty admitting that sexual abuse has happened to them due to the shame and societal pressures and views.  The cost of not receiving help for childhood sexual abuse is endless.  The most common defense mechanism for survivors is denial.  It is too painful to share the memories and feel the damaging effects of sexual abuse.  There is a pervasive pattern of dysfunctional behaviors that follow sexual abuse if not treated.  The most common area where most survivors will see it is in their interpersonal relationships.  Due to trust and safety being violated it is very difficult for survivors to be honest and authentic in their relationships.  Most survivors will live double lives until they can no  longer keep their emotional life under wraps.

It doesn’t matter if it was a one time event or several years of sexual abuse, the results are still damaging to a child and can alter a child’s and  therefore an adult’s future dramatically if not treated.  Of course if sexual abuse was done by a family member and for several years treatment can take longer due to intense violation in a family of dysfunction.  There is hope and there is healing.  One can regain peace, hope, and trust that was taken at the time of sexual abuse.

Although there are no specific set of symptoms victims of childhood sexual abuse exhibit, there are many short-term and long-term effects associated with it.