| Research suggests that undisclosed | | | | posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). |
| sexual abuse on children has important | | | | This risk is present whether the child |
| clinical implications. Children | | | | is subjected to a single trauma or |
| encounter shock that threatens their | | | | continued abuse. |
| integrity and wellbeing due to the | | | | Older children with verbal communication |
| extremely aversive nature of the event. | | | | capacity can communicate their |
| Critical psychological setbacks may | | | | experience of traumatic episodes. |
| build up in the victim as a consequence | | | | However, in infants, behavioral changes |
| of this childhood trauma. The upshot of | | | | may be the only discernible signs of |
| the molestation may be deferred till the | | | | distress. The symptoms of PTSD can be |
| child grows into an adult. Lasting | | | | subtle and may bear a resemblance to |
| physical and emotional effects that are | | | | other psychosomatic and behavioral |
| frequently observed consist of | | | | disarrays. These include the following: |
| melancholy, aggressiveness and | | | | Intense trepidation, terror, or confused |
| self-destructive conduct, nervousness, a | | | | or restless behavior because the child |
| mind-set of seclusion and disgrace, | | | | re-lives the episode (e.g., through |
| reduced sense of self-worth, lack of | | | | flashbacks or nightmares). |
| trust in other people that impedes | | | | Deadened emotional responsiveness. |
| relationship formation, substance abuse, | | | | Symptoms like unexplained stomachaches |
| and deficiency in adjusting to healthy | | | | and headaches. |
| sexual relations. | | | | Trouble in sound sleep, uncontrolled |
| The graveness of long-standing impact of | | | | urination while sleeping. |
| abuse outweighs its instantaneous, | | | | Insufficient attention, violent and |
| observable outcomes. Serious clinical | | | | disobedient manners (resulting in the |
| complications may involve brain damage, | | | | misdiagnosis of a conduct disorder) |
| hindrance in growth and development of | | | | Phobias. |
| the mind, problems and setback in | | | | Keeping away from people avoidance, |
| learning. If survivors of child abuse | | | | emotional constriction. |
| are neglect then at later life they may | | | | Physiologic hyperarousal. |
| be exposed to risks for involving low | | | | Learning disability |
| academic achievement, drug use, teen | | | | Prolonged PTSD can bring about changes |
| pregnancy, and criminal behavior. These | | | | in the micro-structural design of the |
| outcomes influence not just the child | | | | brain. |
| and his or her immediate family, but | | | | Parental support, providing a secure |
| society in its entirety. | | | | environment to grow up in, reduces |
| In light of these findings, it is | | | | susceptibility of the traumatized |
| imperative that timely detection of | | | | children to PTSD than children who |
| sexual abuse victims is vital for | | | | suffer constant abuse. The caregiver |
| lessening of affliction, development of | | | | must not be shaken, devastated, or |
| psychological maturity, and for improved | | | | withdrawn in response to this trying |
| adult performance. | | | | situation. Reassurance by the child's |
| One of the long-term effects of sexual | | | | caregiver helps in stabilizing the |
| transgression on children is | | | | emotional balance of the child. |