Does Adolescent Sexual Abuse
Have Lasting Effects?
You
may wonder why anyone would ask if adolescent sexual abuse
creates problems in a victim's life. It's obvious isn't it? You're right of course. And you might even know someone…maybe even yourself…who was sexually abused as a child or as a teenager.
Others have told their stories (you can read them below). So why not tell YOUR story (you can use a made up name if you like just as Fr. Mike did) because...
the victim’s reactions to sex abuse take many different forms...from post traumatic stress disorder to complete denial.
Everyone knows that many adults who suffered adolescent sexual abuse also suffered ongoing emotional abuse. However...
What is not so commonly known is that some people who were sexually abused were not emotionally traumatized...and even enjoyed their experience.
But that doesn't mean they weren't abused!
Emotional trauma is only one of the effects of sexual abuse.
A person can have several problems from the abuse ...some obvious...others not so obvious.
In Fr. Mike's case it was his good judgment that was traumatized.
(Click on the tabs below to open a panel. Reclick to close to minimize scrolling.)
Father Mike was ordained 15 years when the first accusations of adolescent sexual abuse were made against him.
Until then...Father Mike
was a well-loved priest with a passion for
social justice.
And he worked tirelessly
for the rights of the poor and the
marginalized people of developing countries.
Naturally...the
people who
loved and revered Father Mike were
devastated...and felt betrayed...when his sexual history became
known.
During his mandatory
evaluation...Father Mike explained his actions
this way...
He had an ongoing sexual
affair when he was a teenager with his pastor.
Father Mike said that he
felt very good about the experience at the
time...and still does.
He did not find it
traumatic...he loved the
priest with whom he was involved...and bears neither him nor the church
any ill will.
The unfortunate thing was
that Father Mike decided to have...as he
said..."a ministry
to the sexual awakening of
teenagers".
He felt that his sexual
experiences with his own pastor
were very good for him...and "he wanted to pass the benefits he got
from it on to adolescents in his ministry".
Father Mike’s adolescent sex abuse may have been pleasurable...but even poisonous mushrooms can taste good.
Though Father Mike was not emotionally traumatized …he really suffered ongoing effects of the abuse because...
It led to seriously impaired judgments in adulthood...that lost Fr. Mike his priesthood...his ministry...his good name...and the chance to contribute whatever good was in him through ministry.
Other victims do have emotional trauma from adolescent sexual abuse ...others have difficulties in their self-image...or difficulty relating to others...and some former victims are always angry but don't know why.
Below is an invitation to share your story to increase people's awareness of what you and other victims go through. You can be anonymous, you can use just a first name, or you can use a different name. (Though we would find it helpful to know what country you're from.)
How have you had to cope with Adolescent Sexual Abuse in your life or how have you helped someone else?
Share your story! You're not alone. Let others know what the effects of adolescent sexual abuse were in your life (e.g. Loss of faith? Fear of intimacy? Difficulty sustaining relationships? Weight gain or loss? Counseling others? etc.) Then if you can, offer some advice and encouragement to help others by sharing whether you've been able to do anything to lessen any negative effects your abuse had on you.
Here are more stories from other visitors
Click below to see how other visitors to this page have had to cope, and have coped, with the effects of adolescent sexual abuse...
A Shy Sexually Abused Adolescent
I recall one late afternoon after school hours when a young 7th grade girl from my class would occasionally approach me rather shyly. She was a petite,...
You may deepen your understanding about what the real abuse is by going from this adolescent sexual abuse page to read the effects of child abuse.
From here you may also return to the christian youth ministry page.
Or you can...
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