Sexual abuse represents any kind of sexual contact between an adult or older teen and a child. This behavior is used to gain power over the child and often involves a betrayal of the child’s trust.

There are many types of sexual abuse, some include physical contact or touching offenses. This includes fondling, touching sexual organs, masturbation, making the child touch the adult sexually, and vaginal or anal penetration with self or objects.

Non-touching offenses include exposing a child to pornographic material, indecent exposure, leering and deliberately putting the child in the position of having to witness an act of sexual intercourse.

Therapy often becomes necessary because the adult who was victimized as a child will frequently suffer with a number of unpleasant life experiences like feeling out of control emotionally, distrust on their own judgment and feelings, disconnectedness when relationships get stressful.

Additionally, it is common develop commitment difficulties, and feeling lonely even when in a relationship. These and many more related symptoms can be addressed in therapy, and create a greater sense of freedom and peace.

Ana suffered years of sexual assault at the hands of a family member:

“I was just a little girl and I remembered having a pretty happy childhood. When my uncle was buried, though, I started having these weird memories of my uncle coming into my bedroom when he stayed with my family for a few years when I was in elementary school. I could smell his hands and see shadows on the wall. I still don’t understand exactly what happened.”