Why Healing Hearts is Crucial #23.

Adverse Childhood Sexual Actions and Adult Behavior

Child Abuse Negl. 1999 Apr;23(4):383-94.

Childhood sexual abuse and re-victimization in adolescence

Krahé B, Scheinberger-Olwig R, Waizenhöfer E, Kolpin S.

Source

Department of Psychology,

University of Potsdam, Germany.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the link between childhood experiences of sexual abuse and subsequent re-victimization in adolescence.

METHOD: A sample of 281 female adolescents between 17-20 years of age, who participated in a prevalence survey of unwanted sexual contacts, completed the Sexual Experiences Survey as a measure of unwanted sexual contacts in adolescence and indicated whether or not they had experienced childhood sexual abuse.

RESULTS: Childhood experiences of sexual abuse were reported by 8.9% of the respondents, a further 8.5% indicated they were not sure if they had been sexually abused as children. Both abused women and women uncertain about their victimization status were significantly more likely to report unwanted sexual contacts as adolescents than women who did not state abuse. The link between childhood abuse and subsequent victimization was mediated by a higher level of sexual activity among the abuse victims.

CONCLUSIONS: The results support existing evidence on the impact of childhood sexual abuse on sexual relationships in subsequent developmental stages and underline the need to consider childhood sexual abuse as a risk factor of adolescent sexual victimization.

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This is why Christians must regain the biblical practices of healing the inner heart. It will mean we need to stop focusing so much on outward behavior. We try to stop immoral behavior by threats, preaching, guilting, shaming and warnings but none of those work.  

Only Inner Healing can break the Cycle of Compulsive Behavior. "Out of the ROOT comes the FRUIT. The fruit is Compulsive sex, drugs, alcohol, work, pornography use, etc. That behavior is designed to numb the pain of past Shock, Trauma,Abuse and Neglect. 

See my book Breaking Free to learn how the Holy Spirit can heal you and others. Then read Power Christian Thinking to learn how to stop beating yourself up every day with Stinking Thinking.