What is Sexual Abuse?
What is Sexual Abuse?
Why are individuals afraid to seek counselling?
There are many individuals who are afraid to seek counselling. This could be for a number of reasons for example they may be unfamiliar with the counselling process, they may feel reluctant to talk about the current issues they are facing. They may feel uncomfortable talking to a complete stranger. They may be embarrassed about the current issues they may be facing. It is important for the individual to look at the things they may be afraid of in seeking counselling and be able to try a counselling session and see if the issues they have been afraid of are there.
What are the stigmas attached to counselling in general?
There are many stigmas attached to counselling and the counselling process. For example one of the stigmas may be that mental health issues may be looked at as not a normal person, am I going crazy if I need to see a counsellor or therapist for help. There is at times a negative theme for people seeking counselling treatment in today’s society and as an international stigma attached to mental health treatment in general. You may hear a lot of stigmas attached to the therapeutic process but it is an individual’s choice to seek counselling treatment and be brave enough to step and take charge of your life.
Many people experience a sense of stigma or shame around issues for example having an addiction surrounding alcohol, drugs or gambling. The opportunity for anonymous and confidential online counselling support can help more people feel comfortable and in control when they communicate their concerns instead of physically going to seek face to face counselling.
There can also be difficulty for males to seek help and get counselling face to face. Online counselling may be a better choice for those males in particular who feel stigma or shame associated with seeking help.
Benefits of Counselling:
Explore those issues you feel difficult to communicate face to face. Be able to open up and talk about the feelings you find hard to express in person.
Online Counselling is inexpensive in comparison to face to face counselling. It will save you time and cost and is very convenient. You don’t have to wait long for an appointment and a counsellor will contact you within 24 hours from the time you book an appointment.
What is sexual abuse and long term sexual abuse?
Sexual assault takes many forms including attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person’s body in a sexual way, even through clothes, without that person’s consent. Some types of sexual acts which fall under the category of sexual assault include forced sexual intercourse (rape), sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape. Sexual assault in any form is often a devastating crime. Assailants can be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure or tricks. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.
Sexual abuse is any sort of non-consensual sexual contact. Sexual abuse can happen to any individual of any age at any given time or place. Sexual abuse can include any physical inappropriate touching to the genital area and can include insulting name calling, intentionally causing unwanted physical pain during sex, deliberately passing on sexual diseases or infections and using objects, toys, or other items (e.g. baby oil or lubricants) without consent and to cause pain or humiliation to the individual person.
Defining sexual abuse is a complicated task. Although some behaviours are considered sexually abusive by almost everyone (e.g., the rape of a 10-year-old child by a parent), other behaviours are much more equivocal (e.g., consensual sex between a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old), and judging whether or not they constitute abuse requires a sensitive understanding of a number of definitional issues specific to child sexual abuse.
A very general definition of child sexual abuse has been proposed by Tomison (1995): “the use of a child for sexual gratification by an adult or significantly older child/adolescent” (p. 2). Similarly, Broadbent & Bentley (1997) defined child sexual abuse as: “any act which exposes a child to, or involves a child in, sexual processes beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted community standards” (p. 14). Sexually abusive behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography (Bromfield, 2005; US National Research Council, 1993).
However, unlike the other maltreatment types, the definition of child sexual abuse varies depending on the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. For example, any sexual behaviour between a child and a member of their family (e.g., parent, uncle) would always be considered abusive, while sexual behaviour between two adolescents may or may not be considered abusive, depending on whether the behaviour was consensual, whether any coercion was present, or whether the relationship between the two young people was equal (Ryan, 1997).
Sexual abuse of children and teenagers often has painful and long-lasting effects on the victim, the family, and the community in which it occurs. If wounds heal and recovery does take place, the process takes a long period of time and some emotional scars are inevitable. Members of the Georgia Association of Physicians for Human Rights are aware that many of their patients have been victims of sexual abuse or have concerns about sexual abuse. We offer the following set of questions and answers to promote a better understanding regarding sexual abuse.
Common myths about Sexual Abuse
Myth: Most child molester were once victims themselves (or conversely, most victims grow up to be child molesters).
Myth: If the victim was a willing participant and enjoyed the experience, it was either the victim’s fault or it was not abuse.
Myth: Boys are less traumatized by the abuse than girls.
Myth: Boys abused by males will grow up to be gay.
Myth: Most child molesters of boys are gay.
Myth: There are no female sexual abusers.
Long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse:
The effects of any type of trauma can vary greatly depending on the environment, the coping skills, and age of the survivor.
Not all survivors experience severe long-term effects, yet some may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Depression and anxiety
Confusion about sexual orientation
Confusion about sexual orientation
Problems with intimacy
Alcohol and drug addictions
Sexual addiction or oversexualization of relationships
Sexual addiction or oversexualization of relationships
Treatment available for the effects of sexual abuse:
There have been many studies of the effects of childhood abuse in the last decade. There are several recent studies that indicate that psychotherapy is the best form of treatment for relationship difficulties, problems with self-image, depression, and anxiety. Psychiatric medications can be an important part of treatment, given that the current array of psychotropic medications (e.g., Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc.) has proven useful in alleviating anxiety, and some of the symptoms of depression. Medications may allow some people to enter into psychotherapy and make better use of it. Psychotherapy and psychiatric services should be sought from a psychiatrist, psychologist, counsellor or social worker with expertise in working with sexual abuse survivors. It is also important to choose a physician and psychotherapist who is gay/bi/lesbian friendly. A referral to a trained professional can be made by contacting a mental health professional.