Child Sexual Abuse: Healing Through Television
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Date
2006
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is an issue that is a real thorn in the flesh of our
society today. There are various forms of CSA, but despite the differences, as Cashman
affirms, it is an abuse that violates the child's deepest feelings and emotional
development.' This act of sexual "gratification" is a greedy, selfish and cruel behaviour
that leaves the child with wounds that run deeper than physical hurt. They remain secret
and hidden and if they are not brought out they kill the person softly since, the pain and
shame is carried on into adulthood. "In any church congregation of a hundred people there are probably at least 10 who
were subjected in childhood to sexual abuse which in some cases has had a disastrous
effect on their physical and mental health. In any place of work, school assembly, there
are people who are suffering or have suffered some kind of sexual abuse."
2
It is our duty as a society to hear their story and attend to abuse survivors whose tears of
grief, pain, and suffering are still running. Children who are being sexually abused now
might not speak out for themselves because threats and coercion silence them. This
might have disastrous consequences especially in their adult life; they may carry the
mental scars of abuse forever. Therefore, in order to help today's survivors young or old
we must look at yesterday's victims to tell us what is happening today so that we can
try and create a less painful tomorrow.
The so called 'battered child syndrome' was first recognized by the medical profession
in 1961. Initially the term referred to serious non accidental physical injury, but now the
concept of child abuse also includes sexual and emotional abuse and neglect.
The current statistics paint a frightening picture of the reality of child abuse
today all over the world that leaves a lot to be desired.
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Keywords
Child, Sexual, Abuse, Television, Healing, Rape, Sexual Abuse