Sexual Abuse

 

Sexual abuse can occur during adulthood or childhood. The impact of childhood sexual abuse has been shown to have physical, biological and behavioral consequences that persist for decades later for many who experienced this.  Not all individuals who have experienced childhood sexual abuse are affected in the same way or to the same intensity. 

 

Research shows that many individiuals who experienced sexual abuse do not manifest symptoms until years later. It is through careful assessment that the degree and severity of the experiences can be determined. For more than two decades Dr. Friedland has conducted forensic evaluations determining the emotional impact of such experiences.

 

 

Books

 

 

There are different responses to childhood sexual abuse by gender. The first book is written for women survivors, The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse, 20th Anniversary Edition by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis (2008), and the second for men survivors, Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse by Mike Lew (2004). 

 

Parents often need guides to help children who experienced sexual abuse. This book can help them sometimes, A Terrible Thing Happened by Margaret M. Homes & Sasha J. Mudlaff (2000).

 

Family members of those who experienced sexual abuse usually have strong emotional reactions also. This book is intended for them: Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused as a Child by Laura Davis (1991).