Traumatized children grow up to become...

...traumatized adults.  there are approximately 45 million adult survivors of sexual abuse in America (*1).  And, 95% of them knew their abusers (2) while 85% of perpetrators live under the same roof as the victims (3).  Startling, isn't it?

Children are violated at a high cost to their well-being.  They are humiliated and terrified.  Without help, often remain powerless for a lifetime.  Unnatural shame crowds their souls and annihilates personhood.  As adults they are outraged and passionate about it.  they live in the land of freedom and yet are imprisoned by false guilt. They live in your state and your community, although alienated from them.  They attend your school, your church and live in your neighborhood.

More important is that the definition of sexual abuse and incest is indeed broader than you might have thought.  In addition to the incidence of obvious, overt sexual molestation of the body (clothed or unclothed ) for the purpose of stimulation and satisfaction of an adult sexual need (at least 4-5 years older than the victim), covert sexual abuse actually produces similar damage.

Examples of emotional incest and covert sexualization that do not involve physical touching include: 

• intrusive interest in secondary sexual development

• repeated lewd comments and/or visual scrutiny of the body (clothed or unclothed)

• lack of appropriate privacy in the family bathroom

• repeated use of enemas

• intentional exposure to pornography

• exposure of sex organs

• frequent nudity or openly wearing intimate or seductive clothing in the home

• repeated use of sexual language

• using sexual terms as personal names

• the use of a child by an adult care giver as a confidant or intimate companion.

 Certainly, overt sexual abuse is most severe, but all forms mentioned above are considered severe.  Even a one-time rape victim can expect full recovery, while sexual abuse by a trusted care giver or one in authority takes years to overcome, with scars remaining.

Early intervention is imperative!  There are helping professionals and scholarly literature available.  Although, only 2% of abuse is ever reported (4).  Approaching the millennium, it is this reality that cries out for acknowledgment.  Is it any wonder that the Dysfunktional Card Company is committed to financial support of child abuse programs?  As a survivor of abuse, I personally am gratified to be a small part of this mission.  I welcome your comments and questions.

Judy M. Rauckhorst, MSW, LCSW

Editor, The Dysfunktional Card Co.

Vice-President, Family Life Today, Inc.

Clearwater, FL

(*) Denotes statistical citations

(1) Sheldon, Phil, Editor, Treating Abuse Today, Vol. 8, No. 2, January/February, pg. 3.

(2) Reinert, Dale Roberts, 1997.  Sexual Abuse and Incest, New Jersey: Enslow.

(3) ibid (")  (4) Russel, Diane E.H. 1986.  The Secret Trauma, pg. 388.