Domestic violence - Haugaard and Reppucci (1988) report aggression as the most common behavioral response to boy victims.Stock (2002) reported that up to 94% of sexual abuse survivors experience sexual problems as adults. They may also experience problems related to sexual function, such as pain during intercourse, orgasmic disorders, erectile disorders, lack of sexual desire. Child sexual abuse victims are confused about sexuality and have difficulties as adults because of fear of sex and dissatisfaction with adult sexual relationships. These choices are high-risk as health is compromised, risk of disease is increased, and individuals are usually exposed to higher risk relationships.

Sexualization and effects on sexuality - Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse have sex with more partners, fore frequently work in the sex industry, such as pornography and prostitution, and are more likely to develop a sexual addiction.

The child may retract the threat, but this does not necessarily imply that the risk is reduced. As a mother, if your child has threatened suicide, take this seriously and obtain immediate help. The individual needs to be placed in a secure environment until she stabilizes and poses less risk of self-harm. Depression itself changes brain chemistry and self-perpetuates negative thought and emotional patterns. Depression usually precedes the thoughts of hopelessness and helplessness. Suicide is an attempt to escape pain, distress, guilt/shame, sorrow, and other painful emotions. Any child, adolescent, or adult who speaks of intention to commit suicide, needs to have a thorough suicide assessment to determine level of risk. If a victim or survivor threatens self-harm repeatedly, the threat must still be taken seriously. Stock (2002) reported up that studies found up to 87% of survivors reported suicidal thoughts.

Suicide attempts - Sexual abuse survivors are more likely to consider and attempt suicide.

This escape increases the likelihood of substance abuse and high-risk behaviors, increases the probability of somatic behaviors, is related to psychological disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, and negatively affects relationships. The victim or survivor escapes to another world in the mind.

Dissociation - Dissociation is an avoidant behavior used as a coping strategy.The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress reports that 1/3 of sexually abused children eventually act out in sexually abusive behaviors. Sexually abusive behavior - Development of sexualized behavior, often called sexually reactive behavior, is a common effect of child sexual abuse. These children engage in more sexualized behaviors when compared to children who have not been abused.The National Institute on Drug Abuse ( NIDA) reports that 2/3 of adults in alcohol and drug treatment were abused as children. This avoidance inevitably makes the situation worse as these choices bring about significant losses in the person's life. Sexually abused children have an increased likelihood of becoming addicted to alcohol and other drugs. The victim of sexual abuse avoids life, feelings, and responsibility, by drinking and/or using other drugs. Addictions - Addictions to alcohol and drugs, gambling, and other compulsive behaviors are avoidant behaviors.Teenage pregnancy rates are higher among sexual abuse victims. Running away is a common behavior for children who experience ongoing abuse into adolescence and for adolescents abused by family members. Up to 90% of teenagers, who live on the streets as run- aways, left home because of sexual abuse. Many teenage boys and girls who enter prostitution to provide for basic needs as a run-away. They are more likely to be truant, drop out of school, and demonstrate poor academic achievement. Difficulties during adolescence - Children who have been sexually abused as children are more likely to be delinquent during adolescence and engage in illegal activities.Symptom development is dependent on event-specific factors, such as age of child, length of time abuse occurred, severity of abuse, response to disclosure and relationship of the offender personality differences in the child and protective factors. The following behaviors are more likely to occur in adolescents and adults with histories of child sexual abuse: Not all sexual abuse victims develop behavior problems following the abuse.

Signs of childhood sexual trauma