
Long term effects of childhood sexual abuse are complex and devastating. There are no limits to how this can effect a woman physically and mentally. Starting from as far back as they can remember, these women have been violated sexually by mostly male predators who are often closely related to them. Childhood sexual abuse can have an impact on a woman's life all the way into adulthood. CSA effects women physically through pain, development of eating disorders and alcohol and drug abuse and complications with pregnancies, while also effecting women mentally with disorders of depression, anxiety and PTSD, which can have an impact on their relationships with other people.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. It includes asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities, indecent exposure with intent to gratify the adult's own sexual desires or to intimidate or groom the child, physical sexual contact with a child, using a child to produce child pornography or exposing one's genitals to children or pressuring them to expose themselves (Sigurdardottir and Haldorsdottir). CSA is most common between a child and an adult which whom they have a relationship with. Studies have been conducted and show that 40 per cent of the women answered that they had been abused by more than one perpetrator, 49 per cent had been abused by a father/stepfather and 34 per cent by other relatives. Most perpetrators were men, but nine women reported that their perpetrators were mothers or sisters, who acted together with male perpetrators (Rahm, Renck, Ringsberg). The relationship between the victim and the perpetrator is tainted and results in women quickly developing trust issues as a child. During the act of childhood sexual abuse, women have claimed the experience as "theft of their soul." Women described that they would leave their bodies to cope with the pain and suffering they endured (Sigurdardottir and Haldorsdottir). This pain includes physical and mental well-being that often has an effect on the women later in life.

Women who undergo childhood sexual abuse usually experienced this starting at age 4 or 5, or as far back as they can remember. Starting at such a young age, there are detrimental health issues that ultimately influences psychological disorders in women during their adulthood. The effect of childhood sexual abuse ranges from physical to mental health issues. The physical effect of CSA is very serious, leading to many complications. Women have uterine problems and severe unexplained pain, most have been hospitalized and given many strong painkillers. Pain is usually located in the abdominal and pelvic area of their bodies. Gynecologic problems, including chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, vaginismus, nonspecific vaginitis, and gastrointestinal disorders are common diagnoses among survivors (American College). Women are more likely to neglect their bodies and develop eating disorders because they believe it will fix them and what has happened to them. 74 per cent of the CSA surviviors reported having had some type of eating disorder (Rahm, Renek, Ringsberg). These eating disorders incur rapid weight loss, rapid weight gain, dizziness, confusion. Long-term effects of eating disorders include: heart disease, damage and decay to the esophagus, chronic vitamin deficiency, along with mental health issues associated with the disorder (Psychguides.com). Many women had hysterectomies around the age of 30 and felt great relief to get rid of what they thought was causing them pain. Some have miscarriages and other related issues to pregnancy. In adulthood, there are tendencies in physical problems in relation to puberty, sex life, and childbirth. In some cases it led to repeated abdominal operations such as removing cysts from ovaries. Because it was such a traumatic time of their lives', many women have been plagued with sleep issues since childhood. The sexual abuse was haunting for them, and they felt lie they could never get away, even when sleeping. Most would have nightmares which would leave the woman to extreme exhaustion (Sigurdardottir and Haldorsdottir). Childhood sexual abuse leads around half of the survivors to develop alcohol or drug abuse (Rahm, Renck, Ringsberg). Women often feel that they can numb their pain and suffering with the alcohol or drugs, which later causes health issues. Physical health issues resulting from childhood abuse are apparent and often result to mental health issues as well. 

While there are many physical effects from childhood sexual abuse, mental health issues are more common among survivors. Survivors of CSA have been found to develop depression, anxiety, and PTSD which have led to a strain on their relationships with other people. Women who experience CSA are 3.1 more likely to experience poor general and mental health, and suffer from depression and anxiety (Coles, Jan, et al).  Depression is defined as a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how one feels, thinks and behaves and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems (Mayo Clinic). Many women suffer through depression because they feel as if they cannot get rid of the shame, guilt, humility, and pain that they experience every day since the start of their childhood sexual abuse. Along with depression and anxiety, a large portion, 61 per cent, show signs of PTSD. This was especially true in victims of whose abuse starting very early. Studies show that shame and guilt are concepts that often mentioned in relation to CSA. Participants say they feel different and feel alone. Their shame is so overwhelming that it leads to psychological distress and PTSD symptoms (Rahm, Renck, Ringsberg). Women speak either of postnatal depression or a tendency to isolate themselves and their children. They find it hard to trust anyone with their children and want to protect them as much as they can. Resulting from depression, anxiety, and PTSD, almost all women with the history of childhood sexual abuse have had some self-destructive tendencies, self-harming or having suicidal thoughts. Some even attempting to take their own life (Sigurdardottir and Haldorsdottir). Women simply cannot handle the emotional effects that come from being sexually abused as a child. There are serious mental health issues that affect not only the victim herself, but also the people she has relationships with. With a partner, sex is something that is very hard for a victim to enjoy. They often only participate to please their spouse or partner, as it brings back flashbacks of their trauma to make it unenjoyable for them. They are disturbed in desire, arousal, and orgasm due to the association between sexual activity, violation, and pain (American College). Pain is not only physical for these women but also mentally. Women who have experienced CSA may never be able to get past the traumatic events that are haunting their lives.

Childhood sexual abuse is a devastating trauma that many women experience in their lifetime. The effect of CSA is different for every woman, but there are significant patterns from studies of survivors. The most common effects are pain, alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, depression and PTSD. Not only can childhood abuse effect the victim, but it can also put a strain on the relationships they have developed with other people such as their spouses or children. Sexual abuse is a terrifying experience to go through as a child and will forever haunt these women into adulthood. 

