The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse on Future Development

Childhood sexual abuse can affect one's mental, emotional and sexual development through adolescence and adulthood. The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse is underestimated because so few have reported it. However, current estimates indicate that 22% of girls before the age of 18 are sexually abused in some way without their consent (Feeney, Kamiya, Robertson, & Kenny, 2013). An analysis of previous research indicates the long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse. Specifically, these include, depression, anxiety, repressed anger, suicidal thoughts, Dissociative disorders, eating disorders, an inability to trust leading to complicated romantic relationships and many other psychological issues (Rellini, Vujanovic, Gilbert, & Zvolensky, 2012). Research indicates that childhood sexual abuse can be detrimental and everlasting in someone's life, but with proper treatment, the mental and emotional effects can be treated (Whitelock, Lamb, & Rentfrow, 2013).