Child Protection

Suzy has made a disclosure to staff informing them her mothers’ boyfriend had got into bed with her, given Suzy is thirteen years old this would be deemed to be developmentally inappropriate, she has stated she is sore down there which could indicate that physical contact may have taken place. In terms of behavioural indicators the fact she is distressed emotionally, has returned and withdrawn to her room would lead me to suspect that Suzy may have been sexually abused, a withdrawn presentation can be associated with sexual abuse. (Corby. 2006)   However I would also have to consider emotional abuse as sexual abuse is known have an adverse effect psychologically. Had sexual abuse taken place this may have also incorporated physical abuse if the abuse involved physical contact. Sexual abuse can involve non-contact activities such as encouraging children to watch pornographic materials or acts, or behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

It would appear Suzy may have experienced sexual abuse, if this was the case then the possible short term effects on her behavioural and emotional responses could include, fear, depression and withdrawal, aggression, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt and/or shame, sleeping/eating disorders, developmental delay, inappropriate sexual behaviour. Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between prostitution and child sexual abuse. Studies have indicated there are significant rates of sexually inappropriate behaviour amongst mentally ill children and adolescents with a history of sexual abuse. (Adams et al 1995 as cited in Corby 2006) Longer term effects could include fear and anxiety, depression and suicide, low self-esteem, possible revictimisation, sexual disturbance, psychiatric problems. In a study sixty-five per cent of woman experiencing sexual abuse as a child were found to be victims of rape or attempted rape in adulthood this compared with thirty six per cent of non- abused women. (Russell 1986 as cited in Corby...