Today in America, there is an increasing interest in the treatment and prevention of sexual assault of children and adolescents. There have been several attempts to defining what constitutes sexual abuse. .
Perhaps no single act causes such strong emotions as the act of child sexual abuse. Child molesters can not even find refuge in prisons where rapists and murderers are commonplace. These offenders are shunned in every aspect of our society, yet there is no consensus as to the causes of this behavior. .
Sexual abuse of children is not new, and has not always been socially taboo. The ancient Greeks and Romans used children for sexual gratification (Mayer, 1983). In Greece, it was commonplace for adolescent males to be forced into sexual relationships with mature males. This behavior was normal and not objected to by the child's parents or the Greek government (Mayer, 1983). The Romans encouraged adolescent boys and girls not to protest being sold into prostitution. The Roman government even went so far as to declare a public holiday honoring young prostitutes.
The effects of childhood sexual abuse are frequently lifelong and severe. The effects of sexual abuse are so profound because sexuality is so personal but also because there is more than a sexual aspect of the abuse. Sexual abuse is also physical, mental, emotional and spiritual abuse affecting all areas of eye. Sexual abuse is not naturally occurring or accidental, but as a result of purposeful human behavior. Although the offender may not have intended to hurt, he or she did intend to be sexual with you and therefore did harm you.
Sex with children in the modern era is alive and well, the power of an older person is so great that their young victims often never tell of the horrors that they have endured. .
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There is also a pedophile enhancement movement, with confessed pedophiles insisting that their behavior is not wrong or immoral.
