Study of the research and other relevant literature relating to the Essay

Study of the research and other relevant literature relating to the impact of childhood sexual abuse on women survivors - Essay Example In this context, child sexual abuse (CSA) has been considered as one of the worst experiences in a person’s life as its effects are very likely to last for a long time while the responsible adult has little chances to be caught and penalized in accordance with the existing law. This paper tries to present the most characteristic views of the literature as well as of the empirical research regarding the CSA. Although the forms and the results of this action can have many aspects (see Appendix I) in fact there are certain standards regarding the conditions and the effects related with this action so that their presentation can cover most of the cases having similar characteristics. Childhood sexual abuse can be defined as any exposure to sexual acts imposed on children who inherently lack the emotional, maturational, and cognitive development to understand or to consent to such acts. These acts do not always involve sexual intercourse or physical force; rather, they involve manipulation and trickery. Authority and power enable the perpetrator to coerce the child into compliance (Hendricks-Matthews 1997). Characteristics and motivations of perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse vary: some may act out sexually to exert dominance over another individual; others may initiate the abuse for their own sexual gratification (Britton et al. 1997). Holz (1994) has broadly defined childhood sexual abuse as, â€Å"any sexual activity between a child less than age 18 and a person of power, usually two or more years older, and who has authority over the child† (p. 13). CSA has been further differentiated into incest and extra-familial abuse. The abuse is incestual if it is perpetrated by a consanguineous (â€Å"blood†) relative, a relative by marriage, or a person who functions in the role of a family member (Courtois, 1993; Flournoy, 1996; Holz, 1994). Extra-familial abuse is usually perpetrated by parental or