Individual Costs of Sexual Abuse

The Individual Effects of Sexual Abuse as Children

It may take decades to understand the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse. Because the trauma is so great, many people block out the abuse or are unable to connect the abuse to the difficulties they have experienced throughout their lives.

It is well-known, however, that victims of child sexual abuse are much more likely to suffer long-term psychological and emotional problems. It is common for victims to have anger and depression problems, sexual problems, drug and alcohol dependency, antisocial behavior, and other difficulties throughout their lives. Many studies, including “Wounds That Time Won’t Heal,” have shown that sexual abuse at an early age can actually have enduring effects on brain development and function.

Therapy Can Help

There is always hope, however. Many types of sexual abuse therapy have been shown to help victims regain control over their lives. However, traditional talk therapy for victims of child abuse may not be enough; most experts believe a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapy is best. Both types of therapy work together to remove the power that traumatic memories hold over people, thus freeing victims from the anxiety and depression that has plagued their lives.

Cognitive therapy works to change thoughts about the abuse that are self-defeating and simply incorrect, such as thoughts that the victims are in any way to blame for the abuse. Behavioral therapy tries to change the behaviors, such as heavy drinking, that often come with the emotional and mental effects of child sexual abuse. (To read more, please see the article “How Deep the Scars of Abuse?”)

Bringing the Offender to Justice Can Also Help

Many people find it very therapeutic to bring the person who abused them to justice. Attorney Timothy D. Kosnoff has devoted his entire career as a lawyer to fighting sexual abusers in any way he can. He has spent over 10 years aggressively pursuing cases not only against individual abusers, but also against institutions that have allowed abuse to occur.

Attorney Kosnoff is always available to listen to anyone in the United States who believes they or a loved one suffered sexual abuse as a child. He will treat you with the utmost compassion while aggressively going after those responsible. His work as a lawyer has become a well-known because his hundreds of successes on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse -- but, as he will readily tell you, the true heroes are the people who stand up against their abusers and make sure that the sexual predators never hurt another person again.

Contact our Lawyer

If you have any questions, or would like to sign up for a free initial consultation, please call Tim Kosnoff at 425-837-9690 or 206-676-7610 within the Seattle area. You can also email him through this Web site’s contact page. He has a nationwide practice, with many cases centered in Seattle, Yakima, Spokane, King County, and the rest of Washington and the Pacific Northwest.

All conversations can be kept confidential, and even if you are unsure about a lawsuit, Mr. Kosnoff can direct you to the assistance you need. Above all, remember: You can do something about the effects of sexual abuse. All you have to do is ask for help.

Articles:

• After the Payout, Pain and Confusion Linger
• Wounds That Time Won’t Heal: The Neurology of Child Abuse
• How Deep the Scars of Abuse?