Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I regret that our time is limited. The political debate is rightly taking place but I want to talk about the victims and the effect of abuse on children. A child who is the victim of abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness and an abnormal and distorted view of sex. The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults and can become suicidal. Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty in relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers or prostitutes and have serious problems when they become adults.

I emphasise the effect of sexual abuse on victims. Sexually abused children may develop unusual interest in or avoidance of all matters of a sexual nature. They often have sleep problems and extensive nightmares, and can become depressed or withdraw from friends or family. In one US study, the lifetime depression among children who were rape survivors was 52% compared to 27% among non-victims, which suggests victims of child sexual abuse suffer twice the level of depression. They often state that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area. They often refuse to go to school and have delinquency and conduct problems. They often become secretive and there is a high level of eating disorders among children who have been abused as they move towards adulthood. They express aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games and fantasies, and are often unusually aggressive and exhibit suicidal behaviour. I emphasise the effect of sexual abuse on the victims. Other areas have rightly been discussed.

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