Effects of Abuse
Experiencing childhood sexual abuse impacts people in two ways: primary symptoms and coping strategies to relieve those symptoms. Mental Health symptoms include nightmares, dissociation, depression, anxiety and low self-esteem. CSA is also associated with higher rates of interpersonal violence and abuse in adulthood. People try to manage symptoms through the use of coping strategies. These work in the short term but some have negative effects. Examples include: substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, self-harm and disordered eating