The psychological problems and difficulties experienced by adults
who report having been sexually abused in childhood are
reviewed. These long-term effects include damage to the victims'
emotional reactions and self-perceptions, relationship problems,
problems with sexuality and difficulties in social functioning. Common
presenting problems of victims of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) are
described. Also discussed are the characteristics of incestuous abuse
in terms of the victim, the abusive relationship and its termination;
the contributions of the various aspects of CSA to the psychological
impact of such abuse; and psychodynamic explanations of the
development of long-term effects. The bulk of the published material
regarding the long-term effects of CSA refers to female victims only,
and this 'bias' is reflected in the review.