Child Sexual Abuse: Prevention and Processes of Resilience

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major global public health concern causing negative health effects that go beyond physical and emotional trauma. Effects can include long-term adverse outcomes such as personality disorders, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, eating disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, suicidality, unwanted pregnancy, and STIs. Several interventions including Trauma Systems Therapy (TST) and Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) have proven to be effective. However, in minimizing the long-term negative effects of CSA, the areas of prevention and early recognition are critical.