What Is Sexual Abuse And How To Stop It

Sexual abuse, also called molestation, is the forcing of unwanted sexual behavior by one individual upon another. Any time that pressure is immediate, of brief duration, or infrequent, it’s known as sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or (often pejoratively) molester. The term additionally covers any behavior by any adult towards a child to induce either the adult or child sexually. When the prey is younger than the age of consent, it is called child sexual abuse. Sex wrong doings can occur when one individual uses a position of authority to force someone else to take part in an otherwise undesired sexual activity. For instance, sexual harassment at work could involve an employee being coerced into a sexual scenario out of fear of being terminated. bopsass

It could be very difficult to discuss molestation and much more challenging to recognize that sexual assault of children of all ages including babies occurs every single day. Child molestation has become the topic of great community worry and the target of many legislative and professional projects. This is evidenced by the expanding body of literature on sexual abuse, public declarations by adult survivors and increased press coverage of sexual abuse concerns. sexual assault tauranga

Molestation includes both touching crimes (fondling or sex) and nontouching offenses (subjecting a child to pornographic materials) and could include varying levels of violence and psychological stress. The most commonly reported cases involve incest, or sexual abuse occurring among family members, including those in biological families, adoptive households, and step families. Incest most often happens in a father-daughter relationship; however, mother-son, father-son, and sibling-sibling incest also occurs. Sexual abuse is also sometimes committed by other relatives or even caretakers. Indicators are signs or hints that abuse has occurred. Physical indicators may include injuries or bruises, while behavioral indicators are ways sufferers and abusers act or communicate with each other. sexually assaulted Tauranga

A child who’s the victim of continuous sexual abuse typically develops low self-esteem, a sense of worthlessness and an abnormal or altered view of sex. The kid may turn out to be removed and mistrustful of older people, and could grow to be suicidal. Sexually mistreated children together with their families need immediate professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can assist mistreated children get back a sense of self-esteem, deal with feelings of shame concerning the mistreatment, and begin the entire process of overcoming the damage. Such therapy could actually help reduce the danger that the particular child will establish severe problems as an adult. Rather, one should try to find patterns or clusters of signs that suggest a condition. sexual abuse hamilton

Even when individuals have spoken of the abuse prior to group treatment, any enjoyable factors have usually been denied. The opportunity to relate to others who have shared these emotions, as well as the experience, is part of the healing power of this form of therapy. The feeling of isolation, of being “different from the whole globe,” quickly begins to subside. It is only in disclosing the secrets and coping with the pain that survivors of sexual abuse can and do go on with their lives.

If I Have Been Sexually Assaulted – What Can I Do?

In most areas of the country, there is the ability to get advice about the services available after sexual assault that does not require reporting to the police. These are called Sexual Assault Referral Centres and there are telephone numbers available for you to seek advice, confidentially. They help both men and women and give information about how you can access services including sexual health: the morning after pill, your risk of HIV and need for antiviral therapy, sexually acquired infections and other injuries. In addition, they will enable you to provide emotional support. bopsass

There is still the ability to have an examination anonymously and this need not involve the police, but enable information to be shared without giving your name – some people will have carried out many sexual offences and although you might not wish to report the crime to the police, this information may help others. sexual assault tauranga

An examination, in these circumstances, is both forensic and therapeutic ie swabs are taken to identify DNA and injuries are documented and possibly photographed but more importantly, we are able to reassure you that all is normal and that there are no major problems caused by the assault. A forensic examination can only detect DNA for up to 7 days (although the sooner the better) so after this time, this would not be offered. sexually assaulted Tauranga

Overall, it is important that you are kept safe and any ongoing problems avoided. Help may be sought to move away from the person causing you harm and tackle issues such as self esteem which can be affected by the events that you experience. It is appreciated that the assaults may involve domestic violence, drugs and alcohol, honour based violence and gang crimes. sexual abuse hamilton

Anxiety, depression and guilt are all normal reactions after being sexually assaulted. We all think what if…but it is important that you appreciate this is normal and these feelings do not lessen the assault that you have experienced. We should all have the right to say no!

Child Sexual Abuse – A Typical Victim

Throughout my career I talked to hundreds and hundreds of victims of sexual abuse. I have seen a lot of similarities developing in these victims; the most obvious being that they all appear to be lacking in self-esteem. They are often people who can’t look you in the eye, who keep their heads down, especially when dealing with a male police officer. To me, this was hardly surprising if they had been abused by a male of similar age or appearance to me. bopsass

Sharing a Secret – How Sexual Abuse Comes to Notice

If we look at how victims come to be at the police station, it is usually because it has been taken out of their control by some other adult. This often takes place because the child has said to a friend at school something like, “My father has been having sex with me, promise you won’t tell anybody. I don’t want to cause any trouble!” Often the friend will promise not to tell anybody, but then one day the friend is alone with her mother. She has been thinking a lot about her friend’s situation. She feels she should do something about it and mentions the problem to her mother. Her mother may then contact the victim’s mother or welfare or community services or may even come directly to the police. They say things like, “I don’t want to get involved but a friend of my daughter told her that her father is abusing her. You’d better check it out.”

I believe the reason why the victims tell a friend is because deep down they don’t want to or can’t keep it to themselves any longer. They want the abuse to stop. Disclosing the abuse but asking for secrecy is a really difficult position to put a friend in. To tell them something earth-shattering and then expect them not to pass it on is a lot to ask. A large number of victims are reluctant to talk to police initially, so trying to interview and get evidence from them is often difficult. They just want you to go away leave them alone. They may feel unprepared or overwhelmed by the prospect of going to court to give evidence. It is a really sensitive and complicated area to work in. sexual assault tauranga

I believe that for the police who do work in this area it is important to try and develop an understanding of the feelings of the victims and how they found themselves in an abusive situation. Investigators need to put aside any frustration they feel when a victim doesn’t want to talk to them and instead learn to patiently persist with gathering evidence. There is no case without the evidence of the victim. If he or she is scared off on day one, then serious harm will have been done to any future prosecution should the matter go to court. There are, however, a number of victims who are very willing to assist with a prosecution and who really want to see some retribution against the offender.

These people are very supportive of whatever the police or social workers want to do. I have always made it very clear to all victims and their support networks that the decision to prosecute is theirs. I would never force anybody to have the matter go to court when they didn’t want to. When it comes to the crunch it is those people who have to stand in the witness box and give evidence, not the investigator. I encourage anyone working in this area to adopt that approach. If done correctly it should mean you will have co-operative, supportive complainants (and other witnesses), which will also help them to move on from the episode once it is finalised.

View More – sexually assaulted Tauranga

Different Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse

A symptom is a sign or an indication of something. When someone has been subjected to child sexual abuse, there are several symptoms that will help those close to him/her validating that an abuse indeed took place. But it should be noted that every victim may manifest different signs and there is no telling if how long each symptom will last. bopsass

Social Issues

One of the earliest symptoms of sexual abuse can be detected in how a child relates to the environment and other people. For instance, if your kid suddenly becomes aloof and detached even to his/her friends or the family, he/she may be hiding something. Most of the time, the fear and trauma they have incurred due to the experience will make them hate, avoid, or curse other people.

In addition, children who are sexually abuse will drastically lose self-esteem and confidence. They think that if others know about their experience, they will be humiliated, degraded, and embarrassed. As a result, they begin to skip school, avoid communicating people, and even develop a tendency of paranoia – where they think that other people may do the same abuse to them. sexually assaulted Tauranga

Finally, symptoms of child sexual abuse can also be seen even years after the experience. Many grown-ups who were abused when they were still young cannot commit in building relationships with someone because of the fear that disclosure of the abuse may end the relationship for good.

Psychological/Mental Issues

One of the most alarming symptoms of child sexual abuse is when the mental or psychological state of the victim is affected. When a child abruptly manifests a change in behavior, there’s a great possibility that he/she has been sexually abused. sexual assault whaktane

While not all experiences end up in psychological consequences, those who were abused continuously abused for years are the ones who are likely to become unstable emotionally and mentally. Some of the leading symptoms are anxiety disorder, panic attacks, paranoia, and attitudes of anger and aggressive behavior.

Physical Signs and Injuries

When children are sexually abused, it is usually coupled with force and physical trauma. Sex offenders do not hesitate in inflicting pain and injury if the victim does not comply. Thus, many child victims end up having obvious symptoms of prior sexual abuse. This may include pain in several parts of the body such as the back, abdomen, and stomach. Headaches, menstrual and intestinal pain, and chronic pains are recurring signs.

View More:- sexual assault whaktane

Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is a serious crime that has constantly evolved through the years. Decades ago, sex offenders and pedophiles did not have the luxury of the internet as a tool for finding potential victims. But now, the web has enabled a dramatic increase in the number of child abuse victims all around the world. In fact, even developed nations like the United States are not exempted from this crime. Many American teens and children are becoming victims of sexual abuse while their parents don’t even know about it. sexual abuse whakatane

There are several cases that reveal that many child victims fail to report or tell about their sexual abuse experience due to reasons like fear, embarrassment, and confusion. Therefore, if you aren’t sure if your child has been already abused, then you need to learn to find the indicators yourself. Here are some of them:

– When you see physical signs like abdominal and genital pain, bleeding in the sensitive parts like the anus and genitals, or soreness and swelling of the same.

– If your child suddenly prefers isolation, becomes aloof and lonely, or avoids contact and communication with other people even yourself. This can also be combined with the lack of interest in social activities and even going to school. sexual assault whaktane

– As soon as you see that your six year old kid becomes strangely well-informed when it comes to sex topics and sexual behavior, then someone might be feeding him/her that information.

– If you child develops the habit of touching other kids and themselves particularly in their sensitive parts. If you observe this kind of behavior, it may represent a sign of prior sexual abuse.

Whenever there is a manifestation of disturbing behavior such as anxiety disorder, panic attacks, paranoia, distrust, and constant fear and pressure, your child may have been physically or sexually harmed by someone, but he/she is afraid to reveal it. abused sexual whakatane

Parents should remember that the indicators of child sexual abuse aren’t present or similar for every case. For many of the cases, there may be two or three signs present while the others are unseen. Nonetheless, as a parent, you should be the one who knows your children best, and as soon as you observe that something is wrong with them, you need to talk to them immediately. Put in mind that children are very innocent and weak that if ever they are subjected to abuse, they don’t have the strength and courage to disclose what has happened to them.

Child sexual abuse offenders are a top concern for many parents across the nation. It is important to understand that most abusers are well known acquaintances to their victims. You can find out important stats and tips at Child Refuge. We want everyone to understand that a child sexually abused needs to be believed, protected and supported in order for the abuse to stop and healing to start.

View More:- sexually assaulted whakatane

The Best Strategies to Prevent Sexual Assault

Sexual assault can happen to both men and women of any age and include groping and inappropriate touching; vaginal, anal, or oral penetration; rape and attempted rape; and child molestation. Sexual assault and abuse can also include more subtle actions, such as derogatory name-calling, refusal to use contraception, deliberately causing unwanted physical pain during sex, and deliberately passing on sexual diseases or infections. sexual abuse hamilton

Traditionally, rape was defined as the forceful act of sexual intercourse against a person’s will or consent. However, some states have expanded the definition to include forcible sexual penetration, which includes sodomy and oral sex.

But sexual assaults are not limited to attacks by strangers. A significant number of sexual assaults are perpetrated by acquaintances; current or former intimate partners, relatives, and family friends. It can also be your spouse, which is why marriage is no longer a shield for rape. However, enforcement of spousal rape is not always straightforward, and depending on where you live, victims often face additional legal hurdles to prosecution not present for other victims of rape. sexual assault hamilton

For as severely traumatic rape by a stranger is, research suggests spousal or partner sexual abuse is even more emotionally and physically damaging. Rape by a stranger is a one-time event and is clearly understood by the victim and society as rape. Rape or sexual assault or abuse by a spouse or long-term sexual partner can be an ongoing trauma and is typically part of a greater pattern of family violence that includes other types of abuses. The victim may also feel less inclined to report the abuse either out of fear they won’t be believed or that their children will be endangered.

Adult victims of sexual abuse can experience symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder, including frequent nightmares, eating disorders, depression, severe anxiety, and inability to hold a job. abused sexual hamilton

The single most important way to prevent sexual assault within an intimate relationship is to leave at the first sign of emotional or physical abuse. The following controlling behaviors are also red flags:

Degrading jokes or language

Insistence on making all of the “important” decisions about the relationship or date

Extreme jealousy, possessiveness

Strong belief in sex role stereotypes

A history of violent behavior

Rape is an act of violence and aggression, and while it involves the act of forced sexual contact it not about sexual pleasure or passion. Rape and sexual assault have nothing to do with caring or love. It is a crime in which the attacker has the need to feel as if they are in control and more powerful than the victim.

View More:- sexually assaulted hamilton

About Child Sexual Abuse and Incest

The unbelievable reality is that a person who sexually abuses children may seem very average and ordinary to the world. He/she may be a leader in the church, in the community or in business, a sports coach, scout leader, or celebrity. Sex offenders do not fit a classic stereotype and are not necessarily uneducated, unemployed, impoverished or an alcoholic.

The majority of people find sexual abuse and incest even more difficult to believe or accept when the sex offender is someone they like, admire, love, and/or marry. Tragically, the unwillingness to accept the facts concerning sex offenders leaves children vulnerable to becoming victims and increases the likelihood they will be abused. sexual abuse helpline

Rape is not in the genes in the family of someone who rapes. Rape is perpetrated by someone who is acting out rage. Physical and sexual child abuse is the majority factor in creating the level of rage that compels anyone to commit rape, domestic violence or murder. We have known for a long time that the one commonality among rapists is physical and/or sexual child abuse. Serial killer, Ted Bundy is a classic example of this phenomenon. Since 80% of sexual child abuse survivors are sexually abused by family members there are usually several generations within a rapist’s family–sometimes both maternal and paternal. Current statistics reveal 70% of children are physically abused once a week. It is believed the number of children who are physically abused has decreased in the past 15 years. However, the current rapists in society would have grown up in the era when physical abuse was more prominent, therefore, we can assume there is a high percentage of people, who are potential rapists when we consider date rape and rape in domestic violence, which is seldom reported or if it is reported, is seldom prosecuted. Therefore, society has no way to access the number of rapes committed per capita.

Using developmental terms, young children cannot make up explicit sexual information. They must be exposed to it to speak about it. Sometimes a parent will coach a child to report sexual abuse falsely. The key indicators of the falseness in such a report are the child’s inability to describe explicit details, the inability to illustrate the act, or gross inconsistencies within the account. have I been assaulted

Masculine gender socialization instills in boys the belief they are to be strong; they should learn to protect themselves. In truth, boys are children and are as vulnerable as girls. They cannot really fight back against the sex offender. A sex offender generally has greater size, strength, knowledge, or a position of authority, using such resources as money or other bribes, or outright threats–whatever advantage the sex offender can take to get what they want.

Sexual abuse or incest affects every aspect of human development. The damage is profound, extensive and pervasive. It is deeper than the physical and emotional level–it is a soul injury that requires multifaceted, multidimensional, therapeutic processing conducted by a professional who specializes in sexual abuse and incest trauma recovery.

Although child sexual abuse often involves subtle rather than extreme force, all survivors experience confusion, shame, guilt, anger, as well as a lowered sense of self-esteem; these are classic aftereffects, although they may not initially reveal obvious signs. sexual abuse whakatane

In cases of incest against children, as much as the sex offender might be hurting the victim, the child loves him or her and needs her family. Therefore, she convinces herself that she is somehow causing him or her to behave this way, and she remains silent. In her confusion of loyalty to her sex offender, she protects him or her by holding the secret. Thus, she carries the shame and guilt. In cases regarding sexual abuse and incest, the victim often believes that she has cooperated with the sex offender in some way and places inappropriate blame on herself. Therefore, although with tremendous suffering, she hides her pain through denial, dissociation, numbing, zoning out, hyperactivity, as well as other distracting behaviors. However, the aware parent would recognize these behaviors as a sign that something is wrong.

Unless and until, society focuses on sexual child abuse prevention, before the damage is done, sexual abuse of children will continue to proliferate. Child sexual abuse is the greatest hidden epidemic in the world.

Visit Here – sexual assault whaktane

Things You Didn’t Know About Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse of children takes many forms. It is not solely the traditional view of a male parent having intercourse with a frightened and unwilling daughter; it is much wider than that. Sexual abuse takes place when one person uses their power to obtain sexual gratification from another. It may include watching (e.g. leering), touching, inappropriate commenting, as well as more overt sexual contact which may or may not lead to penetration. what is sexual abuse

The following is a list of things that you may not know about sexual abuse:

The abuser is usually known and trusted by the child. Only 4% of children are abused by strangers.

Children rarely tell about their abuse. Only 10% report the matter to the police. Often the reason for not doing so includes feelings of guilt and shame; they may feel confused and feel that they will not be believed.

The after effects may include confused sexual boundaries when older, repression of the memories, and the victim may become either sexually repressed or excessively promiscuous later in life. indecent assault

Children usually feel that they are (at least partially) responsible for the abuse. They feel that they have either encouraged the attention or did not object sufficiently.

The memory of the abuse is often traumatic enough that it is repressed. The victim often does not recall the event until much later in life for example, in their forties.

The abuser often rationalizes the act believing that he (or she) is showing genuine love.

Child sexual abuse is an assault on a child’s most basic relationship and often makes the home a dangerous rather than safe place. Rape Victim Support 

False allegations of sexual abuse are rare, accounting for approximately 2% of reports to the police.

Sexual abuse used to be thought of as something that took place amongst certain groups or classes. It is now known that it appears in every social group, all races, and all ethnic backgrounds, in all geographical areas, in towns and in the country. There appears to be no specific trigger.

The degree of effect on the individual varies with the age on which the abuse started and the duration. Other factors that render the abuse more difficult to deal with include the use of force, the occurrence of penetration, the parent figure involved and the lack of caring support nearby. How to Help Rape Victim

Abuse typically occurs within a long term, ongoing relationship between the offender and victim, where it escalates with seriousness over time and lasts on average of 4 years. It is also interesting to note that sexual abuse often occurs in successive generations of the same family.

Male victimization is particularly difficult to estimate due to incorrect beliefs by the public. Many people believe that only girls can be sexually abused. Some believe that sex between older women and boys is desirable. Some believe that male victimization of boys is an indication of a lack of masculinity by the child or that the child must have been in agreement.

Certainly the incidence of child abuse has been poorly reported. In some areas, the social services have been too enthusiastic in seeking out cases of abuse and as a result cases have been reported where no abuse has taken place.

Visit Here – ptsd sexual abuse

Sexual Assault the Most Cowardly Of All Crimes

Sexual assault or rape can be defined as verbal, visual, or physical abuse that forces a person to consent to sexual contact or attention. It can happen in any number of different situations, by a stranger in an isolated place, on a date, or in the home by someone you are familiar with. Some rapist use drugs to take away a person’s ability to defend themselves.

Rape or sexual assault is a crime that most often involves a female victim, and a male attacker. It is a violation of the victim’s body and will also take an emotional toll on the victim. You should always support the victim of a rape or sexual assault, listen to them and do not judge them for being a victim. Regardless of the circumstances of the sexual assault or rape the victim cannot be at fault, it does not matter what the person was wearing, where they were going, what they were doing or who they were with the victim of a rape or sexual assault is not responsible for the attack. abused sexual hamilton

Rape is an act of violence and aggression, and while it involves the act of forced sexual contact it not about sexual pleasure or passion. Rape and sexual assault have nothing to do with caring or love. It is a crime in which the attacker has the need to feel as if they are in control and more powerful than the victim.

The most common form of rape or sexual assault is acquaintance or date rape. Studies have shown that of 60 percent of all rapes and sexual assaults the victim knows the attacker. In cases where it is a family member it can be much harder to get the courage to report the attacks, and attacks against children should not be kept within the family. sexually assaulted hamilton

Sexual violence is a devastating crime where self-esteem, self-worth, trust and confidence are destroyed. Physical and mental health complications arise and can continue throughout the victim’s life. The capacity to hold down a job, support oneself and contribute productively to society is all undermined. Quality of life, health and happiness, autonomy and security are all damaged by sexual violence.

Sexual violence devastates individuals, families and communities. Distrust and fear permeates our communities and defines how members live amongst each other. We create a lesser community and a lesser society for all of us to live in.

Sexual violence against women reflects fundamental gender inequality and perpetuates it. A culture that doesn’t value a woman’s voice will have trouble respecting a woman’s right to choose who or what she will engage in.

Visit Here – sexual abuse helpline

Teenage Relationship Dangers – Sexual Assault

There are many teenage relationship dangers. One of the most common dangers is that of sexual assault. Many use the terms “sexual assault” and “rape” in an interchangeable manner. However, these are two distinct sex crimes. Rape is a word that is used to describe sexual intercourse that is forced. Sexual assault is a term that is used to describe any type of sexual activity that is considered to be non-consensual. This means that there is not an agreement between the person committing sexual assault and the person that is considered to be the victim of the crime. Many teenagers, both male and female, are subjected to this type of assault annually. In this guide introducing teenage relationship dangers, you will learn detailed information about this issue. 

When it comes to teenagers, there are four different types of sexual assault that they may be subjected to. The first type typically does not occur while dating unless the teen is on a “blind” date. This is “Stranger” assault. The next three types of assault that are considered to be sexual based are referred to as “Date”, “Acquaintance”, and “Relationship”. If you are a parent, teacher, or any other adult that cares for, or works with teenagers, it is essential that you learn all that you are able to regarding these types of teenage relationship dangers. Teens can be hurt emotionally, psychologically, and physically from this type of situation. Once you learn all that you are able to, it is important to pass this information on to the teenager(s) in your life. abused sexual hamilton

As mentioned previously, assault by a stranger is typically not an issue when it comes to teenage relationship dangers. However, if the teen dates “blindly”, this could be a cause for concern, so I feel it is best to mention it in this guide regarding sexual assault. When dealing in percentages, the average rate is 22% among documented reports of sexual assault performed by someone other than a victim knows when it comes to cases involving those that are in their teenage years. When educating your teen or teens that you work with on a regular basis, it is important to ensure that you stress the importance of being aware of their surroundings at all times while out. In addition to this, they should be urged to avoid blind dates, and meeting people that they do not know but have only interacted with online. 

When a teenager is assaulted in a sexual form by a date, it is someone that they know and have agreed to become involved with in one way or another – whether as a friend, or romantically. Teenagers are often taught by their peers that when one party or another says “no” to any type of sexual activity, that it actually indicates a subconscious “yes”. While on dates, one party or another may initialize some type of sexual act. This does not mean intercourse only. This may consist of oral sex, and other types of activities that are sexual based. If a party objects the advances, the individual attempting to engage in the activity may then begin to assault them in one way or another. These ways include pressuring, issuing threats, or even forcibly forcing the victim to engage in the desired acts. sexually assaulted hamilton

In many cases of teenage dating, sexual assault may be engaged in by an acquaintance. This is typically not the person that they are involved in a relationship with, but it may be a friend or relative of the person that they are dating. When this occurs, the person committing the act will likely try to coerce the victim through the means of manipulation or physical strength. Threats may also occur. It is important to teach your teenager that any person is capable of anything and that if they feel uncomfortable, they should trust the instincts that are occurring. This may help them to avoid situations in which they are sexually assaulted in one way or another. 

Sexual assault in a relationship is the most common type of abuse experienced among teenagers. When they are subjected to this, it is likely that they are also experiencing other types of abuse by the person that they consider themselves committed to. It is likely that they may be subjected to physical conflicts, sexual abuse, and even be abused emotionally. Many teenagers in these types of situations are often embarrassed, ashamed, or feel as if they cannot escape the situation that they are in. sexual abuse helpline

There are many teenage relationship dangers, but sexual assault is one of the most common. Here, you have been introduced to four basic types, how they occur, and what the victim of these types may be experiencing. As an adult, you should know all that you can about teenage relationship dangers so that you may educate them.

Visit Here – have I been assaulted
 

Design a site like this with WordPress.com
Get started