Child Sexual Abuse:
The long term consequences for children who experience systematic or sustained sexual abuse are well known: issues with differentiation (development of identity and sexual identity), problems in attachment (in ongoing and future relationships), and development of mental health issues and substance use problems (Watkins & Bentovim, 1992). Perpetrators of child sexual abuse exploit and corrupt the normal attachment and differentiation processes (Isely, et al, 2008) and in doing so create significant challenges in the development of sexuality, sexual identity and future intimate relationships for the developing individual.
Men who have been sexually abused as children have not usually been well supported by the caring professions. Men who were sexually abused as children are less likely to seek treatment, and if seeking treatment, are less likely to disclose their abuse history, than women in the same situation (Gold, et al, 1999). The shame which is commonly felt by survivors of sexual abuse is often further compounded for men due to the differential impact of same-sex abuse (Nathanson, 1989). Often the revelation of abuse leads to fractures in the internal and external world of the adult survivor, worsening the challenges faced in recovery.