This is true whether they were an adult when they sexually used and harmed a child engaged, or an older or more powerful child. There are some general principles that therapists and researchers have learned, by working with and studying adults who have engaged in such behaviors, about why people sexually use or abuse children. Some who sexually use or abuse children maintain sexual relationships with age-appropriate partners, including at the same time they are using or abusing a child.
In reaction to those experiences of abuse, neglect, betrayal and powerlessness, they may have attempted to find feelings of power and control over others — including sexual power over children. Others struggle over time to contain their sexual interest in children, mostly successfully, but with periodic failures.
Sometimes an unexpected opportunity to be sexual with a child suddenly presents itself and a person with the potential to engage in such behavior acts spontaneously and impulsively. This is true for some adolescents, who are dealing with intense sexual desires that are not focused on children, but suddenly sexually misuse a younger or more vulnerable child. Finally, and this is extremely important: none of these possible reasons or any others can excuse the sexual use or abuse of a child.
Nor do they diminish the negative impacts that such an experience can have on the person who has been sexually used or abused. In fact, they may not have even allowed themselves to believe, or even think about, whether they hurt you. Even an outright assault that was sadistic that is, involved them taking pleasure in causing another person pain had much more to do with something going on inside them than anything at all about you. However, in some extreme cases, a person is confused enough to believe their harmful behaviors are somehow good.
They may fiercely deny or blind themselves to the clear negative effects of the behavior. They may even genuinely convince themselves that their actions are loving, and welcomed by children, therefore acceptable.
In some cases, people who sexually use or abuse children feel genuine positive feelings toward the child, including caring feelings. In some cases, the person is extremely immature, terrified of emotional or sexual intimacy with adults and has no idea how to achieve either. For others, the defenses may become so hardened over time that they are unable to ever acknowledge the devastating truth. Regardless of the reasons, every adult who sexually harms a child needs to be held fully accountable for the harm they caused.
A large percentage of all harmful sexual interactions with children are committed by other children or adolescents. Most kids who sexually use or abuse other kids are — at least in part — reacting to physical, sexual or emotional abusive experiences of their own.
Some are too young even to fully comprehend the difference between right and wrong. Toni Cavanagh Johnson. All groups are facilitated by a counselor. This is also a great resource for people who may be worried about the behaviour of a family member or friend.
Why do people sexually abuse children? Parents text content Understanding why people abuse is important because it can, in some cases, help us prevent them from carrying out the abuse and helps us to work out the best ways to protect children.
A range of factors When someone decides to sexually abuse a child, a range of factors are likely to play a part. Desires Sexual enjoyment can be a motive for abusing a child but it is not the only one and there are usually also other motives at play. Delusions Abusive people find it easier to act on their desires if they have convinced themselves that what they want to do is ok. Life experiences All of these things their desires, beliefs and psychological difficulties are influenced by past and present life experiences.
These are just some of the reasons why someone may chose to sexually abuse a child. None of these reasons excuse or justify sex between an adult and a child. No matter what the reason for the abuse, the effects on children are severe and can last a lifetime. No child is prepared to cope with repeated pain and fear of sexual abuse.
Even a two or three-year-old, who cannot understand the sexual activity, will suffer physically and emotionally. Even a young child who knows and cares for the abuser becomes trapped between affection or loyalty for the person, and the fear, pain and betrayal that goes along with the sexual abuse. If the child tries to break away from the sexual relationship, the abuser may threaten the child with violence or loss of love.
When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is told. Child victims of long periods of sexual abuse often develop low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal view of sex.
Some children who have been sexually abused display sexualized behaviors which are not appropriate for their age and may try to pressure siblings or peers into sexual behavior. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves as adults, and others may turn to prostitution as teens.
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