Promiscuity and Sexually Abused Children

Sexual abuse is an alarmingly increasing epidemic. "Incest and sexual abuse are at epidemic proportions. Current statistics suggest that one out of four females is sexually abused by the time she reaches the age of 18, with about 75 percent of the perpetrators being family members. One out of 5 males is sexually abused by age 18" (Anon 2005 1).

Too many teenagers run away FROM something, rather TO something. "Many teenage runaways leave home in search of safety and freedom from what they consider abusive treatment, whether physical, sexual, or emotional" (Anon 814).

The outcome, however, indicates that there is a sharp division between those whose experiences promote their own sexual adventures and those who abstain from sex altogether because of unpleasant, painful memories. There are many studies which show both of these results.

"Numerous empirical studies investigating the developmental impact of sexual abuse on children and adolescents indicate that many symptoms of maladjustment and mal-adaptation are associated with the experience of sexual abuse. Most frequently reported are problems of depression, anxiety, and other internalizing disorders, as well as externalizing problems such as dissociation, conduct disorders, aggressiveness, and inappropriate or early sexual behavior and activity" (Paolucci, Genuis and Violato 2001 18).

Many social workers and psychologists consider child sexual abuse to be violence committed against minors. And, studies show that there is "Linkage of sexual abuse to higher rates of alcohol use, promiscuity and other risky behavior" (Jet 1995 52). The linkage is important here because all too often abuse children move from one self-abuse area to another. They may begin with alcohol, move to "soft" drugs (i/e/. marijuana) move to stronger drugs, and often use these states of being inebriated or "high" to become promiscuous. Being drunk or high "eases" or "softens" the potential emotional and physical pain of sex.