Consequences of childhood sexual abuse for health and well-being: Gender similarities and differences

Abstract

It is important for health professionals to be aware of the symptoms and consequences of child sexual abuse in order to provide support, appropriate care and treatment for the survivors. Finally, preventive and long lasting public health measures have to be taken in order to prevent children from experiencing such serious trauma.

A Rapid Review of Sexual Wellbeing Definitions and Measures: Should We Now Include Sexual Wellbeing Freedom?

“…Although the WHO offered a definition of sexual health, it takes us into wellbeing territory with its inclusion of living a life free from discrimination and violence, and with opportunities for pleasure (World Health Organization, 2006), and subjective wellbeing territory when asking people to evaluate their own lives. Of all 162 included papers, 16 assessed violence, such as domestic abuse or childhood sexual abuse, revealing the impact such experience(s) have upon adult sexual wellbeing (Barnum & Perrone-McGovern, 2017;Brüne, O, Schojai, Decker, & Edel, 2017;Crump & Byers, 2017;de Visser et al, 2007;Glenn & Byers, 2009;Gupta et al, 2008;Hellemans et al, 2015;Lacelle, Hebert, Lavoie, Vitaro, & Tremblay, 2012;Lemieux & Byers, 2008;Lorenz, Harte, & Meston, 2015;Luo et al, 2008;Menger et al, 2015;Parish, Luo, Laumann, Kew, & Yu, 2007;Sigurdardottir, Halldorsdottir, & Bender, 2014;Smylie et al, 2013;Wyatt et al, 2017). Of these, half (n = 8) explicitly sampled women, or included a mixed sample consisting of both men and women, with experience(s) of sexual abuse or partner violence (Barnum & Perrone-McGovern, 2017;Brüne et al, 2017;Crump & Byers, 2017;de Visser et al, 2007;Glenn & Byers, 2009;Lorenz et al, 2015;Sigurdardottir et al, 2014;Wyatt et al, 2017).…”

Review shows that Icelandic society is taking firmer steps to tackle the diverse forms of child abuse and neglect that its children are exposed to

“…The qualitative and quantitative data from Iceland presented here indicate that many Icelandic children, including unborn babies, experience severe violence with risks for their later health and well‐being. This impacts on their physical and mental health and how they evaluate their upbringing and the justification for the abuse they suffered .…”

“…Another study found that Icelandic adults who had suffered sexual abuse when they were four years to 12 years of age described unbearable suffering, resulting in poor health as a child and adult and a lack of well‐being. Women were more likely to report internalising pain symptoms, and men were more likely to externalise their pain .…”

Men's mental health: coming out of the closet?

“…14 The negative mental health effects of sexual abuse are well established. While female survivors may be more likely to internalise their emotional pain, males externalise it 15 and male survivors are more likely to attempt suicide. 16 There is also evidence that some specific groups of men are more likely to experience mental health problems.…”