Silent sufferers: long-term impact on physical and mental health of child sexual abuse survivors

Abstract

Sexual harassment experienced in childhood has a devastating impact on the physical and mental health of the survivors. In India, 53 percent of children below 18 years face sexual abuse. In most cases, the survivors remain silent sufferers. This research paper examines the case of X, who belongs to a lower socio-economic family in southern India and has suffered 11 years of sexual abuse. Her case demonstrates how children are abused in their closest circle and how their family fails to protect them from the abuse. This research also addresses the danger of easy access to abortion drugs without proper medical supervision, which can lead to mortality. It also emphasizes the need for comprehensive support systems for CSA survivors that include medical, psychological, and social interventions.