Towards the prevention of the childhood sexual abuse cycle.
This article is an appeal to physicians, psychologists, therapists, mental health facilities, social workers, health plans and governmental agencies to include prevention components into therapy offered to clients with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The sexual victimization of children has been found to be cyclic in nature with son's of today's victims becoming tomorrow's perpetrators. There are eighty (80) sequelae associated with CSA. Some of these sequelae are associated with perpetrators including: disassociation, powerlessness, isolation, lack of social skills, empathy deficits and irrational beliefs. Health care officials often misdiagnose CSA confusing it with one or more of its sequelae and all too often therapy is limited to these symptoms. Prevention of the CSA cycle demands a thorough intake interview, including a sexual history and proven interventions to help victims cope with their high levels of anxiety. This will empower them to overcome isolation by learning the appropriate social skills necessary for fulfilling their need for adult intimacy as well as confronting the many urban myths surrounding CSA.
McQuillan
Cornelius T
CT
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico, Departamento Graduado, Recinto de Arecibo, PR.
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology