The trauma myth

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[T]hey did not experience the abuse as awful when it happened because most simply did not understand clearly the meaning or significance of the sexual behaviors they were engaging in. That being said, at some point later on in life, they do. [...] Only at this point - when the sexual abuse is fully apprehended - does it begin to damage victims. [...]

The abuse is intentional on the part of perpetrators. Someone the child knew violated social norms. Although the perpetrator may have an explanation - he was lonely, his wife would not sleep with him, he was drunk, and so forth - in almost all cases he is still very aware that what he is doing is wrong. [...]

I cannot offer a clear theoretical model as to exactly how and why sexual abuse damages victims. It is beyond the scope of my research. [...]

The less traumatic sexual abuse was when it happened, the more betrayal, guilt, isolation, and shame victims will feel and the more psychological distress and dysfunction victims they may experience in the aftermath. [...] [T]he trauma model is not just failing to help victims; it is actually causing some of the harm it was supposed explain.

source: From the book 'The Trauma Myth - The Truth About the Sexual Abuse of Children -and Its Aftermath' by Susan A. Clancy, Ph. D.; Basic Books, New York; 2009