The topic of child sexual abuse (CSA) has been brought to our attention. Though the known incidents of CSA seem to be on the rise, fortunately, the resources to deal with it have increased as well. New curriculum has been introduced into schools to build awareness, and school safety measures have been expanded to create a safer environment for children. For the individual who is a survivor of CSA, there is psychological counseling and plenty of information available to equip a person to make sense of and deal with the long-term effects of their experience.

When a child has a bad day at school, gets ignored by a friend, or did not do well on a test, they may willingly talk about it to a parent. However, most children will not talk about CSA. There are various reasons for this. They may know something wrong happened to them but they may fear the parent’s reaction. Some are scared they will not be believed or that they have done something bad and might be punished for it. A child may have been sworn to secrecy by the abuser. If the abuser is known to the child, the child may not want to betray that person by telling on them.

The impact of child abuse is varied. Common emotions the child would feel are shame, anger at the abuser and perhaps anger at those who could have protected the child but did not, helplessness, fear, etc. Some children act out, turning their emotions into aggression. Others withdraw into themselves and become quiet and moody, unable to trust others.  Because CSA violates a child’s healthy sense of boundaries, they child may struggle with relationships later in life. Suffice it to say the impact of CSA on a child’s life is complex.

To learn more about CSA and for practical steps you can take to protect your children, click here.