The Trauma of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This article examines two models of the traumatic impact of child sexual abuse, the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Model and the Four Traumagenic Dynamics Model. PTSD, in spite of its salutary contributions, has three major problems when applied to sexual abuse. It fails to account for all the symptoms. It does not apply to all victims. And its explanation for the source of trauma does not fit with many types of sexual abuse. The alternative, Four Traumagenic Dynamics Model is more complex and accounts for more of the variety of effects. It posits four dynamics—traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness—that cause trauma by distorting a child's self-concept, worldview, and affective capacities. The four dynamics are described, and are matched to specific symptoms that have been noted in the literature.