Coping With Childhood Sexual Abuse As An Adult

People often say that kids are resilient, but resilience does not mean the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) do not cause lasting scars. Childhood experiences greatly affect and sometimes shape our adult lives. If you or someone you know is coping with childhood sexual abuse as an adult, remember that you are not alone. It is entirely possible to heal from traumatic childhood experiences, including those that involve sexual abuse.

How Does Childhood Sexual Abuse Affect Adulthood?

One of the most significant ways that childhood sexual abuse affects a survivor as an adult is because of the secrecy that often surrounds it. As a child, a survivor may not have confided about the abuse to an authority figure such as a parent. This secrecy evolves as they become adults, attempting to get on with their lives despite the lingering effects of CSA. Unfortunately, trauma does not go away on its own and may lead to a myriad of problems in one’s adulthood.

Two of the most common impacts of childhood sexual abuse are the occurrences of depression and anxiety. Other symptoms may include:

• Strong emotional reactions to certain events, places, or people
• Changes or inconsistencies with self-perception
• Physical and biomedical effects (like a reduced threshold for pain)
• Sexual side effects, such as risky sexual behavior or re-victimization
• Issues with interpersonal relationships and difficulty forming deep connections with other individuals
• Unhealthy coping mechanisms like eating disorders or substance abuse

Characteristics of Adults Who Were Sexually Abused

While every adult survivor of CSA may not have all possible symptoms or characteristics, they will likely experience several symptoms associated with long-term trauma. Many symptoms may also be interrelated. For example, a survivor may be addicted to alcohol, which may lead to gastrointestinal issues, insomnia, and/or emotional issues.

Emotional Effects:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including anxiety, depression, heightened sensitivity to sounds and touch, hyper-alertness, nightmares, dissociative states, intrusive thoughts of the abuse, as well as flashbacks
• Emotional reactions like anger, fear, shame, guilt, and self-blame
• Intolerance or the constant need for intimacy

Physical Effects:

• Chronic pain, especially around the abdominal region
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Chronic headaches/backaches
• Respiratory ailments
• Insomnia
• Memory issues or difficulty concentrating/focusing

Behavioral Effects:

• Self-neglect
• Eating disorders
• Substance abuse
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation
• Lying, stealing, or running away
• Self-destructive behavior
• Difficulty with emotional regulation

Sexual Effects:

• Sexually transmitted infections
• Unintended pregnancy
• Gynecological issues, such as chronic pelvic pain and vaginismus
• Disturbances around desire, arousal, or sexual urges
• Sexual dysfunction

Interpersonal Effects:

• Lack of self-preservation
• Re-victimization
• Lack of trust or exploitation by untrustworthy people
• Self-destructive relationships due to a distorted perception of the abuse
• Detachment or difficulty forming/maintaining healthy relationships

What is the Difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD?

PTSD and Complex PTSD are related – typically, a person with Complex PTSD has experienced trauma over a period of time, as is the case with a survivor of continued childhood sexual abuse, leading to more severe and complex symptoms.

We experience PTSD after a singular event, like exposure to gun violence, surviving an earthquake, or being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Complex PTSD happens over time due to a series of traumatic events, like prolonged chronic poverty, sexual abuse, or sex trafficking. Since sexual abuse involves a long-term process of manipulation and power imbalance, many survivors are prone to developing Complex PTSD.

In addition, some marginalized communities may be more severely affected by CSA due to factors like social inequalities and lack of access to consistent health care and insurance. These disparities can hinder their ability to seek help, process their trauma, and recover.

Does Childhood Trauma Ever Go Away?

While many survivors believe that childhood trauma will always affect their lives severely, it is possible to heal and recover from CSA. There are three important steps you can take to begin the healing process:

• Acknowledge the trauma. Because CSA often goes unreported, the first step is to acknowledge that it happened and to speak about it. If you are not comfortable confiding in a loved one, you can speak to a therapist about your abuse.
• Be patient. Understand that recovery is not a linear process – it is important to be patient with your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion, and prioritize activities that nourish your mind and body.
• Reach out for help. Build a supportive network of loved ones and professionals who can support you and help you in your journey.

Sometimes, survivors may discuss their symptoms with a practitioner who misdiagnoses them or mislabel their situation. If you find yourself in such a situation, switch your therapist or therapeutic program. An experienced trauma counselor or a licensed therapist who understands how CSA affects adults can guide you effectively.

How to Start Healing From Childhood Trauma

A therapist can help you unpack childhood trauma in different ways. Some of the common types of therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This type of therapy focuses on recognizing the connections between our thought patterns and our behaviors, and making adjustments to connections that are not serving us.
• Dialectical behavioral therapy: Also known as talk therapy, this involves acceptance of a person’s life situation and behaviors, and guidance on how to change certain situations and non-serving behaviors.
• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR): This uses eye movements or vibrating paddles to help a person experiencing PTSD or Complex PTSD recall their traumatic events without experiencing a simultaneous adverse response to it.
• Neuro Emotional Technique (NET): NET focuses on the alignment of the spine and manipulation of muscles to reduce the connection between physical sensations and negative feelings.
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET): This therapy helps those who typically avoid triggers associated with their trauma (e.g., places or colors) by gradually exposing them to these triggers under the guidance of a therapist who helps them reframe their thought processes.
• Medication: For certain conditions, medications may be given to help a person recover by managing underlying symptoms like anxiety, depression, insomnia, or intrusive thoughts.

A childhood sexual abuse survivor who is living with Complex PTSD can cope in healthy ways, like eating a balanced diet, exercising, mindfulness, breathing practices, and meditation. During the journey of coping with CSA as an adult, some days will feel easier than others.

How Can a Child Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Help?

For many childhood sexual abuse survivors, filing a civil lawsuit against their abuser has helped them reclaim their lives and take the power back. Unlike a criminal proceeding, a civil lawsuit allows survivors to be the plaintiffs (as opposed to witnesses) who are able to work with a civil attorney and have more control over the lawsuit.

In addition, a civil sexual abuse lawsuit can also help you secure compensation for the abuse which can further help you access therapeutic resources. A compensation claim typically includes damages like medical bills, therapy bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Coping With Childhood Sexual Abuse As an Adult: FAQs

1. What is considered trauma in childhood?

Childhood trauma is defined as a “scary, life-threatening, or dangerous event” that happens to a child between the ages of 0-18. More than two-thirds of children have reported undergoing at least one traumatic event by age 16.

2. What are examples of sexual abuse?

Childhood sexual abuse can consist of the following:

• Touching a child’s genitals, or forcing a child to touch another person’s genitals
• Placing objects or body parts in a child’s mouth or other orifice for sexual pleasure
• Exposing a child to pornography
• Forcing a child to undress in front of another, perform sexual acts, or forcing a child to watch sexual acts
• Exposing oneself in front of a child
• Photographing a child in sexual poses

This is not an exhaustive list, and it is possible that a child can be sexually abused in other ways not listed.

3. Can a child be molested by a child?

Yes. It is possible for a child to be molested by another child. This is most common between siblings, other extended family members, or close friends.

4. How does childhood sexual abuse affect adult relationships?

Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse may have issues with intimacy, may find it hard to trust their significant others, and may avoid certain sexual acts or behaviors that they link to their trauma.

5. Is complex PTSD a disability?

If Complex PTSD significantly limits one or more of a person’s daily life activities, like their ability to work or have meaningful relationships, it may be considered a disability.

6. How long does childhood trauma last?

Childhood trauma will last until the survivor is able to access recovery resources and makes the decision to recover. While many people suppress or repress their trauma, it unfortunately never goes away and shows up in their daily lives in the form of emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive symptoms.

It’s Never Too Late to Heal: Reach Out To a Civil Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Childhood trauma can leave lasting scars. But there is hope for healing and moving forward with your life. If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, allow us to help you get your life back. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover resources for healing. We are here to help you become stronger than your past.