Common Emotional Responses of Sexually Abused Children

Fear

• of the abuser
• of getting into trouble or getting a loved one into trouble
• no one will believe them

Guilt

• for not being able to stop the abuse
• for believing they "consented" to the abuse
• for "telling"—if they told
• for keeping the secret—if they did not tell

Shame

• about the abuse
• about their body's reactions

Confusion

• because of their changing emotions
• because they may still love the abuser

Anger

• at the abuser
• at other adults who failed to protect them
• at themselves

Sadness

• about being betrayed by someone they trusted

Isolation

• because they have trouble talking about the abuse
• because they feel alone