Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse

Adult Survivors of
Child Sexual Abuse
Who Is an Adult Survivor of
Child Sexual Abuse ?

An individual who was sexually abused
as a child is an adult survivor of child
sexual abuse. This abuse may have had
long-term effects on the survivor’s life.
In most instances, the victim of the
abuse never discussed the abuse with
others while it was occurring. This
individual is learning now, as an adult,
to deal with the effects of the abuse.
The term `survivor’ is used, instead of
the term `victim’, because the
individual has survived the childhood
sexual abuse. The term is used in
recognition of the strengths of the
individual who has survived.
Child sexual abuse occurs when a
child is used for the sexual gratification
of an older adolescent or adult. It also
involves the abuse of power that an
adult has over a child. The sexual abuse
may be used by the adult as a means of
fulfilling his need to be powerful.(1)
Sexual abuse occurs across all
communities regardless of race,
religion, cultural heritage, social or
economic status.
According to the Committee on Sexual
Offences Against Children and Youth
(commonly known as The Badgley
Committee) 98.5% of abusers are male
and most victims are female.(2) For this
reason when referring to abusers the
ISBN 0-662-20918-4 Cat. H72-22/12-1993E
Information from...
The National Clearinghouse
on Family Violence
male personal pronoun will be used.
However, it is important to recognize
that boys and male adolescents are also
sexually abused. Male survivors may
recognize some of their experiences as
similar to those of female survivors.(3)
How Widespread Is
the Problem?
The most recent national Canadian
study (1984), conducted by the Badgley
Committee, estimates that about one in
two females and one in three males
have been victims of unwanted sexual
acts. Four in five of these acts were
committed against the person as a child
or youth.(4)
If you are dealing with the effects of
child sexual abuse, please remember
that you are not responsible for the
abuse. No one ever deserves to be
abused. As an adult, you can overcome
the effects the abuse may have on your
life.
Facts to Consider
l Many survivors, estimates are as high
as 50%, do not remember the abuse
until years after it has occurred.
Usually something in adulthood will
trigger the memory. Some are never
able to clearly recall the abuse.(5)
l Survivors often hold the distorted
belief that they are responsible for the
abuse perpetrated against them. This
results in feelings of extreme guilt
and self-blame. Most abusers tell
children that it is their own fault they
are being abused, shifting the blame
away from the abuser, where it
belongs, and placing it on the child.(6)
l A recent Canadian survey (1991) of
women serving federal sentences in
penitentiaries notes that 53% of the
women incarcerated stated that they
had been sexually abused at some
stage in their lives, most commonly
during childhood or adolescence.(7)
l Children with disabilities are
particularly at risk for sexual abuse.
Researchers evaluating the findings of
several incidence studies suggest that
the risk of sexual abuse is at least
50% higher for children with
disabilities than nondisabled children
of similar age and gender. As adults,
people with disabilities who have
been abused are further
disadvantaged by the fact that they
are frequently denied access to
counselling services and even when
services are accessible, they are
unable to meet the individual needs
of clients with disabilities.(8,9)
l Numerous studies have discussed the
direct relationship between child
sexual abuse and adolescent/adult
prostitution. The estimates range
from 76 to 90 % of prostitutes having
a history of child sexual abuse, the
most common form being incest (the
sexual abuse of a child by a family
member).(10,11)
l Survivors are revealing in increasing
numbers that they have been victims
of ritual abuse. Studies
indi-cate that this type of abuse,
2
which is characterized by its repetitive
and systematic severe sexual,
physical, psychological, and spiritual
abuse of children, is much more
prevalent than originally believed.
The after-effects are severe.(12,13)
Common Long-Term Effects
Each individual’s experiences and
reactions are unique to that individual.
However, with so many survivors
breaking the silence and talking about
their experiences, it has become
apparent that there are some responses
to child sexual abuse that are common
to many survivors.
l Feelings of extremely low self-esteem
or self-hatred are common in
survivors. Extreme depression is
something with which survivors also
battle.
l Survivors often experience frequent
sleep disturbances and nightmares.
Links have been made between this
and the fact that children are often
sexually abused in their rooms, in
their own beds.
l Trust is a crucial issue for many
survivors throughout their lives. They
were betrayed by the very people
who cared for them, who insisted
they loved them even while abusing
them. Often, a sense of a just world is
denied children who are sexually
abused. Learning to trust can be next
to impossible under these
circumstances.(14)
l Revictimization describes the process
whereby women who were sexually
abused as children frequently find
themselves in abusive, dangerous
situations or relationships as adults.
Diana E.H. Russell found in her study
(1986) that there is a strong
relationship between incestuous
abuse and later experiences of sexual
assault, wife abuse and other forms of
sexual victimization.(15)
l Survivors with disabilities who
experienced sexual abuse in
childhood might never have reached
a level of independence to escape this
abuse and it has become a way of life.
Even if they do leave an abusive
home, they could continue to be
abused by family, caregivers and
professionals.
l Flashbacks can be frightening
experiences, not only for the
survivors, but for those around them.
During a `flashback’, the survivor
re-experiences the sexual abuse as if
it were occurring at that moment. It is
usually accompanied by visual
images, or flashes of images, of the
abuse. This is one of the ways of
remembering the abuse. Flashbacks
are often triggered by an event,
action, or even a smell that is
reminiscent of the sexual abuse or the
abuser.(16)
l Dissociation refers to the ability to
escape stressful or harmful situations
by creating another place for the
mind to go. The intense pain of
sexual abuse creates a situation
where the victim, in order to cope,
3
must try to dissociate from her body
to leave the situation the only way
she can. In simpler terms, it can be
described as a type of daydreaming, a
need to find a place for the mind (and
ultimately one’s self) to hide while
being sexually abused.(17)
l Multiple personality can occur among
survivors of child sexual abuse. When
the abuse is severe, dissociation or
`splitting’ can become the only means
of escape. By splitting, other alter
personalities develop to help the
individual survive the abuse. In a
recent study of 185 people in
treatment for multiple personality,
98% had experienced sexual abuse in
childhood. Multiple personality is
described as the process of dividing
one’s self up into many different parts
to handle the many painful
experiences of the past.(18)
Coping Mechanisms
Coping mechanisms can also be
described as Survival Strategies. These
strategies have been utilized by
survivors in the past, or they are using
them at present to help numb the pain
of the abuse. They are also used to
control feelings, which may threaten to
overwhelm survivors.
Survivors may have experienced or are
presently experiencing problems
associated with drugs, alcohol,
food/eating, and/or self-injury.
l Recent studies have shown a
relationship between the frequency of
drug use and a history of childhood
sexual abuse.(19,20)
l A similar relationship has been noted
with the development of alcoholism
and the impact of childhood sexual
abuse.(21)
l Eating difficulties are common to
female survivors. They may develop
anorexia nervosa or bulimia. For a
survivor, compulsive control of food
intake can be a way of exerting
control over her body, control that
was denied when she was being
abused.(22)
l Some survivors injure themselves,
hurting their bodies by burning,
slashing or cutting. The reasons for
this behaviour vary. It can be a way
of relieving unbearable anxiety,
triggered by memories of the abuse. It
can also develop as a way of dealing
with and confronting strong, painful
emotions, “using new pain to hide
old pain”. (23)
A Word to Survivors
If you find yourself using any of these
strategies, it does not mean that you are
`seriously ill’ or `beyond help’. You did
(or are doing) whatever was necessary
for you to survive. However, these
strategies may be endangering your
health. Now, as an adult, you can
choose to change these behaviours.
4
Coping with the above-mentioned
experiences leads many survivors to
feel overwhelmed, or that they are
`going crazy’. These feelings are
completely understandable. Think of
these experiences and feelings as
reactions to trauma that occurred when
you were a child. This may be your way
of dealing with that trauma. It is
especially difficult if you have been
living with these feelings locked up
inside of you for a long time.
Some of the survival strategies that
children use to survive sexual abuse
can also become strengths as they grow
older. For example, being a hard
worker, having a sense of humour,
handling crisis situations well, are skills
that many survivors develop. These
skills help them move beyond surviving
to thriving.(24)
If you are a survivor, or suspect you
might be, talk to someone about it.
It is important that you find someone
to talk to about your experiences and
feelings, either someone you know and
trust, or a counsellor. If this is not an
option for you right now, reading or
viewing some of the material suggested
below may be helpful.
Where to Go for Help
l Your local/regional sexual assault or
rape crisis centre. The phone number
can usually be found on the second
page of the telephone book with
other emergency numbers.
l If there is no sexual assault centre in
your area, contact a local women’s
shelter or transition house.
l Community health centres, mental
health clinics and family service
centres may have counsellors who
have worked with survivors before.
They may also be able to refer you to
a self-help group for survivors in your
area.
l The hospital in your area may offer
counselling services for survivors.
What to Do if Someone Tells You
He/She Was Sexually Abused
l Do not judge, condemn or criticize.
l Believe the person.
l Respond in a caring manner and ask
them how you can help.
l Encourage the survivor to get support.
Information and support are also
available for families and friends of
survivors at the locations listed above.
Suggested Reading
Ellen Bass and Laura Davis, The Courage
to Heal, New York: Harper & Row, 1988.
Euan Bear with Peter T. Dimock, Adults
Molested as Children: A Survivor’s Manual
for Women and Men, Orwell, Vermont:
Safer Society Press, 1988.
E. Sue Blume, Secret Survivors, New
York: John Wiley and Sons, 1990.
5
Elly Danica, Don’t, a woman’s word,
Charlottetown, P.E.I.: Gynergy Books,
1988.
Mike Lew, Victims No Longer: Men
Recovering from Incest and Other Childhood
Sexual Abuse, New York: Perennial
Library, 1990.
Wendy Maltz and Beverly Holman,
Incest and Sexuality: A Guide to
Understanding and Healing, Lexington,
MA: Lexington Books,1987.
Tony Martens with Brenda Daily and
Maggie Hodgson, The Spirit Weeps (2nd
ed.), Edmonton, AB: Nechi Institute,
1988.
Jillian Ridington, Beating the “Odds”:
Violence and Women with Disabilities,
Vancouver: DAWN Canada, 1989.
Gail E. Wyatt and Gloria J. Powell, eds.,
Lasting Effects of Child Sexual Abuse,
Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications,
1988.
Suggested Viewing *
To A Safer Place / L’Enfant dans le mur
Sandra’s Garden
Counselling the Sexual Abuse Survivor : A
New Perspective
* These films, along with 90 others on family
violence, are listed in the Family Violence
Audio-Visual Catalogue – National Clearinghouse
on Family Violence. They can be borrowed
through the regional offices of the National Film
Board.
Endnotes
1. For a more detailed definition of child
sexual abuse see “The National
Clearinghouse on Family Violence Fact
Sheet on Child Sexual Abuse,” NCFV;
January 1990.
2. Robin Badgley et al., Sexual Offences Against
Children: Report of the Committee on Sexual
Offences Against Children and Youths V1,
(Ottawa: Supply and Services Canada,
1984), p.215.
3. Debra F. Bruckner and Peter E. Johnson,
“Treatment for Adult Male Victims of
Childhood Sexual Abuse”, Social Casework:
The Journal of Contemporary Social Work,
(February 1987), pp. 81-87.
4. Robin Badgley et al., Sexual Offences Against
Children: Report of the Committee on Sexual
Offences Against Children and Youths V1,
(Ottawa: Supply and Services Canada,
1984), p.175.
5. Wendy Maltz and Beverly Holman, Incest
and Sexuality: A Guide to Understanding and
Healing (Toronto: Lexington Books, 1987),
p. 4.
6. Derek Jehu, “Mood Disturbances Among
Women Clients Sexually Abused in
Childhood”, Journal of Interpersonal
Violence, 4(2), 1989, pp. 164-184.
7. Margaret Shaw et al., “Survey of Federally
Sentenced Women: Report of the Task
Force on Federally Sentenced Women on
the Prison Survey ” No. 1991-4,
(Corrections Branch, Solicitor General of
Canada), pp. 30-31.
6
8. Dick Sobsey and Connie Varnhagen,
“Sexual Abuse, Assault and Exploitation
of Individuals with Disabilities”. In
C. Bagley and R.J. Thomlinson (Eds.).
Child Sexual Abuse: Critical Perspectives on
Prevention, Intervention and Treatment
(Toronto: Wall and Emerson, 1991),
pp. 203-216.
9. Mansell, S., Sobsey, D. and Calder, P.,
“Sexual Abuse Treatment for Persons with
a Developmental Disability”, Professional
Psychology: Research and Practice. V23, 1992,
pp. 404-409
10. D.Kelly Weisberg, Children of the Night: A
Study of Adolescent Prostitution, (Lexington,
MA: Lexington Books, 1985) p.91.
11. Solicitor General Canada, “A Report on
Juvenile Prostitution”, December 1985.
12. Susan J. Kelley, “Ritualistic Abuse of
Children: Dynamics and Impact”, Cultic
Studies Journal, V5(2),1988, pp. 228-236.
13. Cheryl Waterwomon, “One Survivor’s
Experience of Ritual Abuse”, Canadian
Women’s Studies V2(4),1991, pp. 70-72.
14. Sylvia B. Patten et al. “Posttraumatic Stress
Disorder and the Treatment of Sexual
Abuse” Social Work, May 1989, pp.
197-203.
15.Diana E.H. Russell, The Secret Trauma: Incest
in the Lives of Girls and Women, (New York:
Basic Books, Inc.,1986), pp. 157-173.
16. Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. The Courage to
Heal. (New York: Harper & Row), 1988,
p. 73.
17. Candace Holmstrom, “Counselling
Survivors of Sexual Abuse”, Psychiatric
Nursing, October, November, December
1988, pp. 6-10.
18. Margo Rivera, Multiple personality: an
outcome of child abuse.(Toronto:
Education/Dissociation, 1991).
19. Patricia Ann Harrison et al.,"Differential
Drug Use Patterns Among Sexually
Abused Adolescent Girls in Treatment for
Chemical Dependency", The International
Journal of the Addictions, V24(6), 1989,
p. 499-514.
20. Judith Groenveld and Martin Shain, Drug
Use Among Victims of Physical and Sexual
Abuse: A Preliminary Report, Addiction
Research Foundation, July 1989.
21. Brenda A. Miller et al., “The Role of
Childhood Sexual Abuse in the
Development of Alcoholism in Women”,
Violence and Victims, V2(3), 1987,
pp. 157-172.
22. Ellen Bass and Laura Davis, The Courage to
Heal,. (New York: Harper & Row), 1988.
p. 217.
23. John Briere, Therapy for Adults Molested as
Children: Beyond Survival. (New York:
Springer Publishing Company), 1989.



This document was prepared by
Kathryn Ann Hill. The contributions of
the following individuals are gratefully
acknowledged: Sandra Butler, author
Conspiracy of Silence; Judie
McSkimmings, Ottawa Rape Crisis
Centre; Shirley Masuda, Disabled
Women’s Network Canada (DAWN);
Fabienne Pierre-Jacques, Studio"D",
National Film Board; Deborah Trent,
Centre pour les victimes d’agression
sexuelle de Montréal; Vera Lagasse,
Gordon Phaneuf, Barbara Merriam,
Femmy Mes, Joan Simpson, and
Katherine Stewart, Health Canada.

Labels: Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse

posted by Robert Heard at 5:32 PM