What are the consequences of sexual abuse on a child?

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 or alleged offender, gravity of the abuse and use of force, concomitant 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 problems while others won't. 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: 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 to seek specialized professional advice for a complete evaluation of the situation.

Talking to health and social services professionals can also help the parent!

Child victims of sexual abuse must feel supported and protected by their parents or by another significant adult in their life.

Did you know?
Studies show maternal support positively influences the child's capacity to cope and reduces short term behavioural problems.

Research is just starting to look into the impact of paternal support and influence on a child victim of sexual abuse.

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