|
What are the results
of child abuse? |
|
Child abuse can have
dire consequences, during both childhood and
adulthood. Child abuse may result in: |
Impaired social behaviour,
antisocial behaviour, and difficulty establishing
intimate personal relationships |
|
Alienation
and withdrawal |
|
Depression,
anxiety, low self-esteem, feelings of
worthlessness, self-injury,
|
|
Suicidal tendencies |
|
Substance abuse
and
high levels of medical illness |
|
Eating disorders
or
drastic changes in appetite |
|
Problems in school or work |
|
Impaired psychological development;
personality disorders |
|
Abusive parenting or care giving |
|
Prostitution
(in the case of sexual abuse) |
|
Cognitive disorders |
|
A
distorted view of sex, and
difficulty relating to others except on sexual
terms
(in the case of sexual abuse) |
|
Nightmares
and bed wetting |
|
Death of a child; or death of the abuser, if the
child eventually fights back |
|
The effects of
being abused as a child vary according to the
severity of the abuse and the surrounding
environment of the child. If the family or school
environment is nurturing and supportive, the child
will probably have a healthier outcome. |
