What are the consequences of child sexual abuse?

Did you know?

Child victims of sexual abuse may experience different symptoms or reactions. Every sexually abused child reacts differently depending on the duration of the abuse, relationship to the offender, severity of the abuse and whether or not it involved the use of force of other types of violence.

Symptoms of sexual abuse may appear:

  • Immediately after the assault;
  • A few months later;
  • Only in adulthood.

During the evaluation, some child victims of sexual abuse may experience psychological or behavioural difficulties while others will not.

This does not mean the child has not been sexually abused.

Principal psychological and behavioural symptoms manifested by a child victim of sexual abuse:

  • Low self-esteem
  • Psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, isolation
  • Oppositional, provocative and aggressive behaviours
  • Difficulties in school
  • Sexual behaviour problems
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder symptom (intense fear, nightmares, recurrent thoughts or ongoing images, withdrawal, irritability, tantrums, insomnia, hyper vigilance, etc.)
  • Dissociative symptoms (disconnect from reality, loss of track of time, daydreaming, seems distracted/detached, acts "by automatism")

Caution: These symptoms may be linked to other stressful life events for the child and are not necessarily linked to sexual abuse.

If child sexual abuse is suspected, it is strongly recommended that you seek specialized professional advice for a complete evaluation of the situation.

Talking to health and social service professionals can help the parent!

Child victims of sexual abuse must feel supported and protected by their parent(s) or by another significant adult in their life. 

Did you know?
Studies show that maternal support positively influences a child's capacity to adjust to an event of sexual abuse and reduces short term behavioural problems.
Research is now looking into the impact and influence of paternal support on a child victim of sexual abuse.

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