| Abstract: | Sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of children and adolescents in sexual activities they do not fully comprehend and to which they do not freely consent. The long term effects of these violations of children have been described clinically. This study was initiated to demonstrate differences in emotional distress experienced by childhood victims of sexual abuse and their non-abused counterparts. Clinical records of 311 women were reviewed following termination from psychotherapy. Fifteen (15%) percent of the women indicated that they had been abused by a father, brother, grandfather, stepfather, friend, or stranger. |
