Childhood sexual abuse has long been shown to be correlated to mental illness in adulthood. There is a link between childhood sexual abuse and the later development of borderline personality disorder, for instance. While the associated mental ill health risks have been discussed in depth, little has been spoken about the economic disadvantages that survivors may endure.
Childhood sexual abuse has long been shown to be correlated to mental illness in adulthood. There is a link between childhood sexual abuse and the later development of borderline personality disorder, for instance. While the associated mental ill health risks have been discussed in depth, little has been spoken about the economic disadvantages that survivors may endure.
Indigenous women and children have been subject to abuse. Justice against perpetrators takes time, meaning that indigenous women and children suffer and are denied the rule of law.
While indigenous women and children continue to suffer, recent statistics show that 62% of Australians over the age of 16 have also experienced childhood maltreatment. Maltreatment being physical, sexual, emotional abuse, neglect or exposure to domestic violence, with 29 percent reporting to have experienced sexual abuse.
There is a long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse on mental health, social, sexual, physical and interpersonal functioning (Mullen & Fleming, 1998). Longitudinal studies have shown strong links between substance abuse problems, sexual risk-taking behaviours, suicide, alcohol and substance abuse and problematic relationships.
A lot of the substance misuse problems are due to mental health issues that have arisen because of the abuse, such as self-medication of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Interpersonal relationships are often impacted because of a greater sense of mistrust. Not only does this have consequences for relationships, but it also has economical consequences in terms of an inability to form fruitful relationships at work or socially.
For mothers who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, this can impact their relationships with their own children, due to the level of anxiety that they may feel. There is little in the way of research on fathers who have been survivors of sexual abuse, but the little research that there is suggests that fatherhood may be a healing experience for some, while others may have a resurfacing of the trauma.
There is evidence in several comparison and follow-up studies of a greater likelihood of behavioural problems, such as running away, vandalism and juvenile offending among those who had been sexually abused (Chandy, Blum, & Resnick, 1996; Smith & Thornberry, 1995; Widom, 1996), thus making relationships with others difficult. In a large-scale Australian study, Ogloff et al (2012) followed-up 2,759 substantiated cases of child sexual abuse in Victoria over a 31-year period and compared this group with 2,677 people drawn from the general population. They found that almost a quarter (24%) of child sexual abuse victims had a recorded offence compared to the control group, which had just 6%.
Childhood sexual abuse can leave a lasting impact, resulting in mental health and behavioural problems. As such, survivors are more likely to be marginalised from society and suffer grave economic conditions as a result.
While there are economic and vocational problems associated with childhood sexual abuse, not everyone that has been the victim will experience these. There is an association or correlation, but that does not necessarily mean every survivor will endure these.
In Australia, and especially within the indigenous population, those that are survivors of childhood sexual abuse face further problems in the way of limited healthcare to help them. A westernised medical and psychiatric system may overlook an indigenous person’s perspective, thus there is a need to navigate abuse in a way that is not solely done through a Eurocentric model.
If a person is battling with their mental health every day, it can be difficult to have interpersonal relationships, meaning that holding down a job is not easy. As such, a model of care that supports a person through their survival of childhood sexual abuse, whilst also navigating the journey to be a part of society is important.
Consultant Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Welcome to Mededucation Online, your premier destination for medical education and professional development. We are committed to empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to excel in their careers and provide the best possible care to their patients. Read More…
Acknowledgement Of CountryWe acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
An Occupational Medic’s Guide to Understanding Burnout