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Teenagers and Sexual Assault
Adolescent women are at a higher risk for sexual assault than any other age group due to date/acquaintance rape. This is coupled with the fact that many adolescents are victims of sexual abuse and incest as well. Due to past or ongoing sexual abuse, teens with these experiences are more likely than their non-abused peers to participate in "delinquent" teenage behaviors including those which result in school problems, conflict with authority, early sexual behavior, and eating problems. These behaviors may help the teen escape from jeopardy and/or serve as a cry for help.
Individuals who have been assaulted and/or abused by someone they know may feel guilty or responsible for the abuse, feel betrayed, question their judgment and have difficulty trusting people.
Perpetrators often believe myths such as:
- women owe men sex if they spend money on her;
- women play hard to get and say no when they mean yes
- women enjoy being pursued by an aggressive male.
Additionally, alcohol and drugs may be factors in these sexual assaults. Regardless, it is NEVER the victim/survivor's fault.
- No matter what she wore.
- Where she was.
- Whether or not she fought back.
- Whether or not she and/or the perpetrator were drinking or doing drugs.
Perpetrators are 100% responsible for their actions.
Signs of Sexual Assault
Does anyone you know:
- Force you to have sex when you don't want to?
- Force you to perform sexual acts you don't like?
- Criticize your sexual performance?
- Deny you sex?
- Force you to have sex with or to watch others?
- Threaten to hurt you if you don't desire sex?
- Commit sexual acts that you consider sadistic?
Remember you have the right to determine with whom, where, when and how you are going to be sexual with someone.
Effects on Teenagers
In adolescence, reactions to sexual abuse or sexual assault might include:
| Physical Changes |
General body soreness |
| Unexplained bruises or scratches. |
| Loss of appetite - eating disorders |
| Insomnia and nightmares. |
| Tension headaches |
| Fatigue |
| Physical symptoms such as nausea or vomiting |
| Social Changes |
Delinquency/conduct problems |
| Avoidance of all things of a sexual nature. |
| Poor attendance at school, or a desire to change schools. |
| Lack of interest in usual recreational activities. |
| Acting out, aggressiveness |
| Sudden avoidance of a parent, relative, coach, teacher, family friend or an adult who has involvement with teenager. |
| Poor attendance at school, or a desire to change schools. |
| Withdrawal from family and friends |
| Alcohol and or drug abuse |
| Promiscuity or prostitution |
| Concerns re: body image |
| Emotional |
guilt/self-blame |
| Sadness re: "sexualized child," loss of innocence, depression |
| Fear of recurrence |
| Crying spells / mood swings |
| Feelings of humiliation/shame/embarrassment |
| Denial, secretiveness |
| Phobias |
| Self mutilation |
| Suicidal thoughts |
What to do if you suspect abuse?
- If a teenager says she or he has been abused, try to remain calm.
- Reassure the teenager that what has happened is not his or her fault.
- Seek a medical examination and psychological consultation immediately.
- Know that teenagers can recover from sexual abuse, particularly if they have the support of a caring, available parent.
- Get help yourself. It is often very painful to acknowledge that your child has been sexually exploited. Therapy can help caretakers deal with their own feelings about the abuse so that they are able to provide support to their children.
How to Protect your Teenager
The prospect of discussing sexual abuse / assault with our children can make us feel very uncomfortable. Yet avoidance of the subject deprives children of the knowledge of how to prevent such abuse and reinforces the view that it is a taboo subject. The abuser requires such silence from the victim and others in order to succeed; not talking about it helps create this silence.
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