SEXUAL ABUSE - BEING AWARE OF THE PROBLEM

• Sexual abuse occurs when a man, woman, or kid is compelled to engage in sexual activity without their consent. A man, woman, or child may sexually abuse a woman, a man, or a child.
• Contact and non-contact sexual abuse are the two distinct categories.
• Abusers who make physical contact with victims are said to engage in contact abuse.
• Non-contact abuse refers to abuse that doesn't include physical contact.

WHO'S AT RISK?

    Any individual is susceptible to sexual abuse. It's crucial to keep in mind that sexual assault can happen to both boys and girls.Most victims of sexual abuse were victimised by someone they knew. This might be a close friend, a family member, or someone who has specifically chosen to target them, such as a coach or instructor.

    Online sex abuse victims may be victimised by someone they know. They might also suffer abuse from a stranger who develops a relationship with them or from someone who engages in a single act of sexual assault. Some people are more vulnerable to sexual assault. Disability increases a person's risk of sexual abuse, especially if they are unable to report the abuse or don't understand what is happening.

    Some abusers specifically target kids who are neglected or excluded by their parents or other caregivers. When a family is struggling, they might not be able to offer their kids the attention or supervision they need, which could put them in risky situations.

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

    Understanding the symptoms of sexual abuse can help give victims a voice. Children occasionally lack the understanding to recognise when something is incorrect. Or perhaps they are too afraid to speak up. You might see some of the following indicators:

Emotional and behavioral signs

• Avoid being afraid of individuals or someone they know, or being alone with them.
• You wouldn't expect them to be familiar with sexual or linguistic practises.
• Dreaming in the night.
• Misuse of drugs or alcohol.
• Self-harm.
• Any unusual behavior, changes in their mood, or feeling agitated and irritated.

Physical signs

If someone is experiencing or has experienced sexual abuse online, they may:

• Spend much more or much less time than usual on the internet, sending texts, playing video games, or utilizing social media.
• After using the internet or sending texts, appear distant, agitated, or irate
• Keep their online and mobile activities private, including who they are chatting to and what they are doing.
• Possess a large number of new phone numbers, texts, or email addresses on their tablet, laptop, or mobile device.

COMPLICATIONS

The effects of sexual assault can be both immediate and cumulative. Sexual abuse can have a lifetime-long effect. Young people, adults, and children may coexist with:

• Both tension and despair
• Eating problems
• Trauma-related difficulty Managing stress
• Self-harm
• Sexually transmissible disease
• Feelings of irritation and humiliation
• Pregnancy
• Drug and alcohol problems
• Relationship problems with family, friends and partners.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

If someone confides in you about sexual abuse, it's crucial to

• Pay close attention to what they're saying
• Reassure them that they've made the right decision by telling them
• Tell them that it's not their fault
• Avoid confronting the alleged abuser and instead explain what you'll do next.
• As soon as you can, report what the person has told you.

REPORT 911

    You can contact your local police department by phone or report the crime in person. Because of the sensitive nature of sexual offenses, some police departments offer ways for victims to report anonymously, either by phone or through an online form.

HOW WE HELP YOU?

    There are numerous practical, personal, and family-related obstacles that prevent people from starting and sticking with treatment and counselling. Taking the initial step toward recovery requires a great deal of courage on the part of sexual abuse survivors. But once they have the confidence to speak up, their experiences give many others courage and hope.

    For this target population to recover from the trauma of their past lives and build respectable, meaningful lives, it is crucial to provide proper care and support. Our firm conducts combined sessions with the victim and family members as well as psychoeducational sessions. Call us to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment for counselling (+1 315 750 4197).