Child sexual abuse has been reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the number of unreported instances is far greater, because the children are afraid to tell anyone what has happened, and the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult.
The problem should be identified, the abuse stopped, and the child should receive professional help. The long-term emotional and psychological damage of sexual abuse can be devastating to the child.
Child sexual abuse can take place within the family, by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home, for example, by a friend, neighbor, child care person, teacher, or stranger. When sexual abuse has occurred, a child can develop a variety of distressing feelings, thoughts and behaviors, including:
· Unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature
· Sleep problems or nightmares
· Depression or withdrawal from friends and family
· Seductiveness
· Statements that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area
· Refusal to go to school
· Delinquency / conduct problems
· Secretiveness
· Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies
· Unusual aggressiveness
· Suicidal behavior
Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely fearful of telling, and only when a special effort has helped the child to feel safe, can the child talk freely.
If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should try to remain calm and reassure the child that what happened was not their fault.
Sexually abused children and their families need immediate professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists at AspenPointe can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma.
Treatment helps reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult.
Eligibility Criteria:
Any family who know of or suspect child abuse within their family.
Insurance(s) Accepted:
Self-pay and most private insurances including: UBH/UH, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield and TRICARE
Hours
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Evenings and weekends upon request.
