Sociology

Sexual abuse regardless of its form and the individual affected is a socially unaccepted norm. All human actions have their origin or cause and so is sexual abuse. This work focuses on child sexual abuse and it analyzes the etiologies of child sexual abuse extensively. Ramifications of child sexual abuse are also thoroughly analyzed.

Child sexual abuse
When a person comes into contact of sexual nature with a child, then the person can be considered to have sexually abused the child. Some of the acts of sexual abuse include physically being in sexual contact with the child including rape, fondling, and sexual intercourse. Involving a child in pornography by for instance making the child watch pornography or participate in the same and child prostitution are all forms of child sexual abuse (National Center for PTSD, 2010). Often under every jurisdiction, there is an age that is set to cut a clear line between who can be termed as a child and who is not. Often the classification of a child is based on the ability of the said individual to make an informed decision or to consent. All in all, child sexual abuse mainly involves a person who is older than the child. The problem of child sexual abuse has a long history and it still persists up to this age. It is therefore of important to identify what leads to this abusive behavior and the ramifications thereof.

Etiology of child sexual abuse
The first important thing to note about child sexual abuse is that it is a social make up which is mainly associated with how people regard and treat children. The impetus of the perpetrators of child maltreatment is particularly mentioned as the main determinants of child sexual abuse. It is postulated that a perpetrator is likely to be suffering from emotional resemblance with the thought of being sexually aroused by a child (Dervin, 2006). There are many reasons why the perpetrator may have the similarity including past experience of sexual abuse more so in their childhood. In addition, the offender may be experiencing the congruence due to unavailability of other ways of gratifying themselves (SECASA, 2010). On the same note, the offender may have an alternative means of gratification but this may be less gratifying and therefore they may choose to gratify themselves through children. It is a common experience for child sexual abusers to fear relationships with their peers and therefore they end up falling for the vulnerable children. Perpetrators of child maltreatment may also be moved by such things as pedophilia or even a culture of sadism and therefore they will sexually abuse children to satisfy these kinds of gratification (Hall  Hall, 2009).

Even with the above motivators, there still exist internal inhibitions whose role in observing social norms is paramount. Every human being is supposed to be able to control themselves from involving in socially unacceptable behavior. Lack of control from doing immoral acts is a deficiency that is experienced with perpetrators of child sexual abuse. This means that once such a person becomes sexually aroused by a minor they are not able to take control of such feelings probably due to a superego within them or generally corrupted morals and norms (Putman, 2009). With this arises the question of what may have interfered with the inhibitors of immorality. Abuse of drugs and substances such that the mental status of the person is rendered unstable is often linked with inability to have self control.

If a child is in a well grounded family setting where he or she is getting enough security in all ways, it is unlikely that the child would fall into the hands of their prey the child sexual abusers. For a child sexual abuser to succeed, they must therefore have come across a case of a child who is lacking the presence of their parents either physically or psychologically (Dervin, 2006). This is the state of affairs that preexists most when a child is maltreated by either of the parents or the caretaker. It can happen that when a child is seeking for physical and emotional security, they end up receiving sexual abuse in the name of emotional relief.

Child sexual abuse is almost meant to occur and to be repeated in cases where the child is not in a position to defend from the malpractice. In such a situation, the perpetrator will either coerce the child to sexual abuse or manipulate them to be involved in sexual acts with the perpetrator. This is kind of a betrayal to the child (SECASA, 2010).

Ramifications of child sexual abuse
Children who have been sexually abused end up suffering physically and psychologically. Physical consequences may include being injured or even acquiring sexually transmitted diseases in addition to pregnancy. These consequences are severe but psychological consequences outdo them since they usually last for long.

A sexually abused child will always show emotional instability as expressed by a lot of fear. The child also ends up suffering from anxiety which later develops into depression (Peterson, 2005). It is not uncommon to have a sexually molested child experience nightmares and develop phobia. As a result of sexual abuse by a male, a girl child may develop fear of men and they may express this by not wanting to be close to males and if the abuser is still amidst the child, the child tends to avoid being left with the person. Perhaps among the worst of the psychological effects is the post-traumatic stress disorder. Most child abuse victims end up suffering from this psychiatric condition and this makes the child suffer seriously as they always get episodes of nightmares regarding a repeated molestation and heightened anxiety. Finding a child who is contemplating suicide or who just switches to drug and substance abuse among other abnormal behaviors is an indication that the child is a victim of sexual abuse (Moelker,  Palme, 2008). As a result of sexual abuse, boys tend to end up abusing alcohol among other substances and their involvement in crime is very common. Suicidal thoughts and actions are even more common in sexually abused boys than in girls.

Even if the consequences of child sexual abuse may not be seen in childhood, they must show up in adulthood. Low self regard is often seen in adulthood and unstable relationships more so with marital partner. An adult who was sexually abused in childhood may end up feeling unworthy and develop self-hate. Cumulatively, such individuals end up suffering from depression and borderline personality disorder among other psychiatric illness during adulthood (Fisher et al, 2009).

Conclusion
Perpetrators of child sexual abuse crime will never justify their actions whether they cite biological or social etiology. They have to control their superego and abnormal sexual feelings and allow the morally correct parts of their instincts to dominate. With this, they will save children from adverse psychological and physical consequences which usually ruin their entire lives if not attended to.