Mental Disorders in Victims of Sexual Violence

Abstract

Many investigations have shown a strong relationship between childhood sex abuse (CSA) and severe negative health and social outcomes among female and male victims of childhood sex abuse. The risk for unintended pregnancies, risky sexual behavior in general, and HIV-risk behavior is considerably elevated, leading to the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, CSA victims are likely to be assaulted again as adults and a minority of CSA victims can become a perpetrator themselves. With respect to mental health outcomes, a higher prevalence of alcoholism, drug abuse, addiction, and pathologic gambling is found in CSA survivors. Additionally, CSA survivors are more vulnerable to anorexia nervosa, affective disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or suffer personality disorders, especially borderline personality disorder (BPD). Furthermore, childhood sex abuse victims are more vulnerable to suicidal behaviour, showing frequent suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.