Child Sexual Abuse in Families: Prevalence and Consequences of Two Theories, Exercises of Psychology

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Running head: Summarize the Two Main 1 Summarize the Two Main Theories of Sex Differences in Aggression Elizabeth Caro Northcentral University

Sexual abuse theory and gender role theory is an Intrafamily sexual abuse problem attacking more and more, silently and repeatedly. It selects victims, children, because although its knowledge has only been unleashed until recent years, it is a situation that has been presented for a long time. Yet, it is impossible to calculate precisely how long it has been manifested. To a greater or lesser extent, child abuse is a historical constant in all cultures and societies and any social stratum. It was constituted a universal and complex problem resulting from an interaction of individual, family, social, and cultural factors that can even lead to the death of the minor (Echeburúa & Guerricaechevarría, 2008). However, most sexual abuse against children and adolescents occurs in the home; in such cases, the abuse is called intrafamily or incest (Braun, 2002). These include stepmothers, stepfathers, guardians, half-siblings, grandparents, and even boyfriends or partners who live together with the father or mother and assume the role of caregivers? The familiarity between the child and the abuser has strong emotional ties, both positive and negative, which c contribute to sexual abuse incestuous more cognitive-behavioral impact for the child and his family (Furniss, 1993; Habigzang & Caminar, 2004). In this case, the aggression presents distinctive characteristics where the aggressor manipulates the bond family through the use of power conferred by their role; generally, it is repeated aggression over time; the dynamics of the secret is imposed, its revelation being late; It usually occurs in dysfunctional families and is the result of multiple factors that block or disturb the natural mechanisms that regulate sexuality within the family (Barudy, 1999; cited in Herrera Verdugo, 2004).

The psychological consequences that usually accompany the experience of intra-family child sexual abuse are frequent and diverse, and both those that occur in childhood and those that, on many occasions, last into adulthood, studies confirm that the consequences affect all areas of the life of the victim, and therefore prevent talking about a syndrome of child sexual abuse (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986). Sexual abuse of minors refers to any sexual conduct between an adult and a child. More than the age difference, what defines abuse is the asymmetry between those involved in the relationship and the presence of explicit or implicit coercion. For this reason, it is still significant that other minors cause 20% of child sexual abuse. Abusive behaviors, which are not usually limited to isolated acts, may include physical contact (genital, anal, or oral) or involve the use of the minor as an object of sexual stimulation of the aggressor (exhibitionism or projection of pornographic films) (Echeburúa & Guerricaechevarría, 2008). It is not easy to determine the real incidence of this problem because it usually occurs in a private setting (the family). Minors may feel powerless to reveal the abuse In most cases, child sexual abuse is usually committed by relatives (parents, older siblings), it is incest itself, or by people related to the victim (teachers, coaches, monitors). In both cases, which cover 65% to 85% of the total and are the longest-lasting situations, there are usually no associated violent behaviors (Echeburúa & Guerricaechevarría, 2008). Existing research shows that sexual abuse begins at five years of age and increases significantly between five and nine. The information from different countries also

coincides in that 70% and 80% of the victims are girls; in half of the cases, the aggressors live with the victims and, in 75% of the cases, they are direct relatives of the abused girls and boys (UNICEF, 2008). This is how UNICEF (2010), throws figures in which more than ten million children suffer from forced sexual exploitation globally; there are approximately 2,700 new cases every day of the year, which, however, not all are reported. From the previous approach, it can be inferred that one of the aspects that makes it difficult to fully obtain the real occurrence of cases of Intrafamily Sexual Abuse (AIS) is silence, which is one of the main problems for addressing the issue. From that point of view, it is considered essential to include the following reflection by Kastberg, director of UNICEF: So far, there has been impunity bringing many perpetrators before the Court is not going to be feasible if we are aware of the very overloaded judicial systems and the silence that the family maintains in this regard. It is very traumatic for a family and the second element comes into play, which is the need 21of adequate sex education (UNICEF, 2010). According to the UNICEF director, you must be explicit with girls at an increasingly young age and tell them that if someone wants to touch them, they should refuse. “A girl up to four years of age whose mother tells her that if a man wants to touch her, tell him that he is not five, ten and up to 15 times more protected than a girl who was not given that information” (UNICEF, 2010 ). You also must explain how the forms of seduction are the preamble to sexual abuse work.

References Braun, S. (2002). Domestic violence against children – From silence to the revelation of the secret Barudy, J. (1999). Child abuse. Social ecology: Prevention and repair. Browne, A. & Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of Child Sexual Abuse: A Review of the Research. Social supportand coping strategies as mediators of adult adjustment following childhood maltreatment. Child Abuse & Neglect. Echeburúa, E. & Guerricaechevarría, C. (2008). Abuse sexual abuse in childhood- Victims and aggressors. Furniss, T. (1993). Child sexual abuse: An approach 1multidisciplinary. Habigzang, L. F. & Caminar, R. M. (2004). Sexual abuse against children and adolescents. Unicef (2010). Diagnosis on the situation of girls, children and adolescents in 21 countries of America Latin. Taken on October 25, 2010 at: www. iin.oea.org/IIN/cad/sim/pdf/mod1/Texto%20 11.pdf Unicef (2008). World state of the childhood. Taken on October 15, 2010.