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