Women sexually abused as children

Abstract

CLINICAL PROBLEM Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious international public health problem, broadly defined as the use of a child for sexual stimulation by an adult or another child who, by either age or development, is in a position of trust or power. CSA is an adverse experience, not a disorder, disease, or diagnosis. It is diverse in terms of its characteristics (e.g., intra- and extra-familial abuse, contact and non-contact activities) and tends to involve particular interpersonal features that can impact on development in distinct ways compared with other types of child maltreatment (e.g., sexual trauma, boundary violations, betrayal, secrecy).