Sexual Abuse in Childhood and AdolescenceReason for Choosing the TopicWhen I was given this assignment at the beginning of the term, I had no idea about what I was going to write. The field of domestic violence and child abuse is so broad that I had to step back and consider the different topics and ways I could approach this article. I ultimately chose childhood and adolescent sexual abuse because I could never understand why abusers think what they are doing is right, and whether they realize that what they are doing is right. what they are doing is wrong, why don't they stop their actions. My internship site is at Inland Valley Recovery Services and so far a good portion of my clients have been sexually assaulted. This abuse affects their self-esteem and self-efficacy, which then leads to their eventual substance dependence. Although I know many textbook ideas about sexual abuse and what is expected of those who have been sexually abused, I still wanted to write about this topic to learn more and solidify the assumptions I have already learned and gotten used to. truth.Research ResultsDefining Child Sexual AbuseWhen defining child or adolescent sexual abuse, the definition can be as broad as unwanted sexual contact with a minor or as specific as specifying which acts are considered like abuse. San Bernardino and Riverside counties define child sexual abuse as follows. Sexual abuse includes penetration or external touching of a child's private parts, oral sex with a child, indecent exposure or any other sexual act performed in the presence of a child for sexual gratification, sexual use of a child for prostitution and the production of child pornography. Child sexual abuse is also the deliberate...... middle of paper ......). Child sexual abuse and interpersonal outcomes in adulthood: Examining pathways for intervention. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy, 4(6), 605-613.McElheran, M., Briscoe-Smith, A., Khaylis, A., Westrup, D., Hayward, C. and Gore-Felton , C. (2012). A conceptual model of posttraumatic growth in children and adolescents following sexual abuse. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 25(1), 73-82.Pineda-Lucatero, A.G., Trujillo-Hernandez, B., Millan-Guerrero, R.O., & Vasquez, C. (2009). Prevalence of childhood sexual abuse among Mexican adolescents. Child: care, health and development, 35(2), 184-189. Szanto, L., Lyons, J. and Kisiel, C. (2012). Traumatic childhood experience and expression of problematic sexual behaviors among children and adolescents placed in police custody. Residential treatment for children and youth, 29(3), 231-249.