Veronica's Story: Frequently Asked Questions

Veronica's Story : Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE?
WHY DO CHILDREN HAVE TROUBLE TELLING?
DO CHILDREN INVENT STORIES OF ABUSE?
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE?
WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR SUPPORT SERVICES?
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A PSYCHOTHERAPIST TO HELP ME DEAL WITH A CHILDHOOD MEMORY OR ANY OTHER ISSUE?

Q. WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE?

Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is used for sexual purposes by an adult or adolescent. It involves exposing a child to any sexual activity or behavior.
Sexual abuse most often involves fondling and may include inviting a child to touch or be touched sexually. Other forms of sexual abuse include sexual intercourse, juvenile prostitution and sexual exploitation through child pornography.
Sexual abuse is inherently emotionally abusive and is often accompanied by other forms of mistreatment. It is a betrayal of trust and an abuse of power over the child.

Q. WHY DO CHILDREN HAVE TROUBLE TELLING?

There is a historical norm of keeping such behavior secret because of the sense of shame associated with it.
Children always want to tell about their abuse so that it can be stopped Ð but they are often afraid of what might happen if they do tell.
The abusers create in the child a fear of destroying privacy and sense of security.
It is normal for children to delay telling about their abuse for a year or more after it occurs.
Especially in cases of incest, when the abuser is a close family member, children may not reveal the abuse until they become adults. Many never tell even then.
Often, religious traditions have taught children to "honor" their parents and not question their actions, even when it hurts them.
Too often, churches, synagogues and other religious communities, along with the wider society, have encouraged the privatization of sexual violence.

Q. DO CHILDREN INVENT STORIES OF ABUSE?

There is scant evidence that children deliberately misinterpret appropriate adult-child contact as sexual abuse. In the few recorded cases in which children appear to have made false allegations, it has usually been the result of manipulation by an adult.
False denials of sexual abuse (saying it did not happen when it did) and recanting a disclosure of abuse (denying that it happened after having told someone about being abused) are much more common than false reports.
Children sometimes recant truthful allegations of abuse. This is not surprising because the child naturally fears the impact that a disclosure will have on the family, or fears that he or she will not be believed.
The child may deny the abuse for fear of the offending adult's anger or power.
The issue of repressed or suggested memories has been sensationalized by the news media. Many researchers argue, however, that there is little or no evidence for such a theory.

Q. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE?

Adult women sexually molested as children are more likely to suffer from both physical and psychological problems.
Sexual abuse victims who were also physically or emotionally abused as children are the most likely to suffer from health problems and further abuse as adults.
Men who were sexually abused as children may also suffer from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially if they were abused more than once.
If the family does want help, they may still encounter difficulties finding the appropriate services.
Also true is the fact that thousands of people see a psychologist every day and are helped to deal with issues of personal adjustment, depression, substance abuse and problems in relationships.

Q. WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR SUPPORT SERVICES?

Contact your local
child welfare agency,
police department,
social service agency,
hospital,
mental health center,
sexual assault center,
transition home,
distress center, or
other community service organization that provides counseling to children and families.

Many of these organizations are listed among the emergency telephone numbers on or near the first page of your local telephone directory.

CHILDREN WHO NEED HELP CAN ALSO CALL
THE KIDS' HELP PHONE AT 1-800-668-6868.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A PSYCHOTHERAPIST TO HELP ME DEAL WITH A CHILDHOOD MEMORY OR ANY OTHER ISSUE?

First, know that there is no single set of symptoms which automatically indicates that a person was a victim of childhood abuse.
Second, when considering current problems, be wary of those therapists who offer an instant childhood abuse explanation, and those who dismiss claims or reports of sexual abuse without any exploration.
Third, when seeking psychotherapy, see a licensed practitioner with training and experience in the issue for which you seek treatment. Ask the therapist about the kinds of treatment techniques he or she uses and how they could help you.





Veronica's Story : Frequently Asked Questions
	WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE? WHY DO CHILDREN HAVE TROUBLE TELLING? DO CHILDREN INVENT STORIES OF ABUSE? WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE? WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR SUPPORT SERVICES? WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A PSYCHOTHERAPIST TO HELP ME DEAL WITH A CHILDHOOD MEMORY OR ANY OTHER ISSUE? Q. WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE? Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is used for sexual purposes by an adult or adolescent. It involves exposing a child to any sexual activity or behavior. Sexual abuse most often involves fondling and may include inviting a child to touch or be touched sexually. Other forms of sexual abuse include sexual intercourse, juvenile prostitution and sexual exploitation through child pornography. Sexual abuse is inherently emotionally abusive and is often accompanied by other forms of mistreatment. It is a betrayal of trust and an abuse of power over the child. Q. WHY DO CHILDREN HAVE TROUBLE TELLING? There is a historical norm of keeping such behavior secret because of the sense of shame associated with it. Children always want to tell about their abuse so that it can be stopped Ð but they are often afraid of what might happen if they do tell. The abusers create in the child a fear of destroying privacy and sense of security. It is normal for children to delay telling about their abuse for a year or more after it occurs. Especially in cases of incest, when the abuser is a close family member, children may not reveal the abuse until they become adults. Many never tell even then. Often, religious traditions have taught children to "honor" their parents and not question their actions, even when it hurts them. Too often, churches, synagogues and other religious communities, along with the wider society, have encouraged the privatization of sexual violence. Q. DO CHILDREN INVENT STORIES OF ABUSE? There is scant evidence that children deliberately misinterpret appropriate adult-child contact as sexual abuse. In the few recorded cases in which children appear to have made false allegations, it has usually been the result of manipulation by an adult. False denials of sexual abuse (saying it did not happen when it did) and recanting a disclosure of abuse (denying that it happened after having told someone about being abused) are much more common than false reports. Children sometimes recant truthful allegations of abuse. This is not surprising because the child naturally fears the impact that a disclosure will have on the family, or fears that he or she will not be believed. The child may deny the abuse for fear of the offending adult's anger or power. The issue of repressed or suggested memories has been sensationalized by the news media. Many researchers argue, however, that there is little or no evidence for such a theory. Q. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE? Adult women sexually molested as children are more likely to suffer from both physical and psychological problems. Sexual abuse victims who were also physically or emotionally abused as children are the most likely to suffer from health problems and further abuse as adults. Men who were sexually abused as children may also suffer from depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts and behavior, especially if they were abused more than once. If the family does want help, they may still encounter difficulties finding the appropriate services. Also true is the fact that thousands of people see a psychologist every day and are helped to deal with issues of personal adjustment, depression, substance abuse and problems in relationships. Q. WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR SUPPORT SERVICES? Contact your local child welfare agency, police department, social service agency, hospital, mental health center, sexual assault center, transition home, distress center, or other community service organization that provides counseling to children and families. Many of these organizations are listed among the emergency telephone numbers on or near the first page of your local telephone directory. CHILDREN WHO NEED HELP CAN ALSO CALL THE KIDS' HELP PHONE AT 1-800-668-6868. Q. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT CHOOSING A PSYCHOTHERAPIST TO HELP ME DEAL WITH A CHILDHOOD MEMORY OR ANY OTHER ISSUE? First, know that there is no single set of symptoms which automatically indicates that a person was a victim of childhood abuse. Second, when considering current problems, be wary of those therapists who offer an instant childhood abuse explanation, and those who dismiss claims or reports of sexual abuse without any exploration. Third, when seeking psychotherapy, see a licensed practitioner with training and experience in the issue for which you seek treatment. Ask the therapist about the kinds of treatment techniques he or she uses and how they could help you.