The Aftermath of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can have many medical, social, and psychological sequelae. These untoward effects include abdominal pain, gynecologic disorders, changes in peer and family interactions, depression, bipolar disorder, behavioral changes, as well as many other complications. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study that illustrates many of these sequelae and compare features of the case with what has been reported in the literature on the effects of childhood sexual abuse. The case is that of a Hispanic American female adolescent who was sexually abused as a child. Methods: A review of the current admission to a psychiatric unit and a retrospective examination of charts from previous admissions was conducted. Also, the results of a review of the literature on the medical, social, and psychological effects of childhood sexual abuse are summarized. Results: The patient shows behaviors and psychopathology that are in many ways consistent with the effects of sexual abuse described in the medical and psychiatric literature. Conclusion: There are many effects of childhood sexual abuse, all of which can halt the growth and developmental progression of the victim, leaving the victim with the need for many years of treatment, both medically and psychologically.