The Impacts of Sexual Abuse on Children

Nowadays, crimes are emerging every day in everywhere. People seem to be frightened to go somewhere alone because various crimes are threatening their lives. Not only adults, children also become the vulnerable targets of the criminals. Sexual abuse on children is one kind of these criminal cases and has become a very popular term in society. The current issue of this case is the incident that happens in Jakarta International School where a student is sexually assaulted by two cleaning staff. The victim is reported to have some problems after the incident, such as depression, some pain on his body and inability to express his feelings. These impacts prove that sexual abuse on children affects them physically, emotionally, and socially.

Children who are abused experience some physical problems. Physically, abused children might have unusual injuries on their bodies. For example, wounds on the genitals, on the thighs or around the eyes. They might have trouble in walking or sitting because of disabling pain or injuries. Therefore, they are afraid to change their clothes in front of other people and do not want others seeing their bodies. They might avoid engaging in physical exercises such as running, jumping etc.In addition, abused children might also have less careon their body, such as an unwashed body or hair and unpleasant body odor.As a result, their pain or injuries in thebody will change their behaviors and appearances.

Beyond physical effects, there are also emotional effects of sexual abuse on children, such as anger, hostility, fear, humiliation, and an inability to express feelings. They may become passive, lose their energy and hope and also disconnect from the real world because they believe the whole world is a dangerous place. Besides, they may have trouble in learning, because their brain is busy dealing with the stress of a violent environment. Moreover, the long‐term emotional consequences will be more dangerous. For example, children who are abused are at risk of experiencing low self‐esteem, depression, drug or alcohol dependence, and even suicide. Therefore, there should be the right treatment for these abused children.

The other effect of sexual abuse on children is social effect. Immediate social consequences can include an inability to form friendship, poor social skills, poor cognitive and language skills. They refuse to participate in social activities, avoid sitting with peers and even distrust of others. They do not seem curious or interested in the sight, sounds or people in the environment. Abused children may also become aggressive and bullying others. In their adult life, the long‐term consequences can impact both their family and their community, such as crimes and unemployment. These social impacts are threatening not only the abused children themselves but also their environment.

Sexual abuse on children is a common problem worldwide. It affects children emotionally, physically and socially. These effects influence not only the abused children but also their families and their communities. Therefore, it becomes everyone responsibility to always be aware of any kind of abuses or assaults. Parents have the most important role to take care of their children. If parents cannot control their children all the time, they can take trusted caregiver to take care of their children while parents are busy. The main point is that children must have the secure and healthy environment, in order that they are out of danger. It is because “once children have experienced violence, reparation is the hardest part to do”, said Indah P. Amaritasari, a consultant for human rights and gender equality.

By : Aufa Nabhila & Trian Wahyu R