Have you ever wondered what happens to children who have been abused as they were growing up?
I always imagine how I would feel, if, as a little child, I happen to find myself being abused. I doubt if I would be able to erase that vision of horror from my mind.
Most often, we do not believe a problem is significant, or even real unless those who say so provide impressively sound statistics.
Most sexually abused and neglected children never come to the attention of government authorities probably because no physical signs of harm are seen on them. The trauma that they go through may prevent them and adults from seeking help.
Children and adolescents, who have been sexually abused, suffer a range of psychological and behavioural problems including anxiety, fear, sexual dysfunction and withdrawal.
These effects vary depending upon the circumstances of the abuse and the child’s developmental stage but may include regressive behaviour, sleeplessness, eating disorders, and problems with performance at School among others.
Since the negative effects of child sexual abuse can affect the victim for many years culminating into adulthood, I appeal to parents to always give guidance to their children.
It is well known that adults, who have been sexually abused when they were children, commonly express depression, high level of anxiety which sometimes results in self-destructive behaviours, such as alcoholism and drug abuse. It may also result in anxiety attacks and insomnia which we should not encourage
I advise children who report little or no psychological distress from the abuse, to express their true emotions to their parents or any close relative so that the perpetrators could be arrested and prosecuted.
