not as common; some will respond to treatment. Treatment can identify those at a high risk of recidivism.
CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE Child sexual abuse is also referred to as child molestation. It often involves an older adolescent or adult perpetrator and a child victim. As mentioned, there are many forms of child sexual abuse that both include and do not include actual physical contact. Child abuse of this form is worldwide and, in parts of the world, child marriage is the most common type of this abuse. Most child sexual abuse happens when the perpetrator knows the victim in some way. About 20 percent of females and 8 percent of males undergo this type of abuse globally. The majority of perpetrators are male; female offenders will commit acts of abuse against boys mainly but sometimes against girls. Being a child abuser does not necessarily mean the person is a pedophile. A pedophile is someone who has a sexual interest mainly in children who have not yet reached puberty. Child sexual abuse is a broader term that can mean any type of sexual exploitation of a child; it can also include child on child sexual abuse and sibling sexual abuse. Because children cannot consent, all such acts are considered criminal behavior. Child sexual abuse survivors are harmed in many ways. There is an increased risk of depression, PTSD, dissociation, anxiety, sleep problems, somatization, substance abuse, and eating disorders. The strongest indicator of sexual abuse in a child is sexual acting out, although things like regressive behaviors, social withdrawal, conduct disorders, ADHD, and animal cruelty can be signs of abuse. Self-harm behaviors are particularly common in sex abuse survivors. Surprisingly, only about 59 to 79 percent of sexually abused children will have psychological symptoms. The risk of symptoms is greater if the abuser is the child’s relative, if threats of force are used, or if intercourse or attempted intercourse has occurred. The duration and frequency of the abuse also plays a role.
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