Lasting Effects of Abuse
Children that are sexually abused are at a higher risk to suffer from:
+ low self-esteem
+ depression
+ anxiety
+ post-traumatic stress disorder
+ psychotic and schizophrenic syndromes
+ conduct/anti-social personality disorder
+ drug and alcohol abuse
+ eating disorders
+ obesity
+ failure to complete high school
+ attempted suicide or suicide
+ increased instability in relationships
+ more sexual partners
+ increased risk of sexual problems and greater negativity toward partners
+ prostitution
Additional research finds that victims of child sexual abuse are at a significantly higher risk of re-victimization. More specifically, women who have a history of child sexual abuse are at least twice as likely to experience adult sexual victimization (Classen, Palesh, & Aggarwal, 2005; Maker et al., 2001)