This article examines the correlation between child and adolescent sexual abuse and the addiction of toxic substances in adolescence or adulthood as an indicator of the genesis of trauma
Sexual violence against children and adolescents is an abuse of power, a perverse conduct induced by the heteropatriarchal and adult-centred system, which silences the victims and survivors
By Alexandra Membrive, President of Asociación El Mundo de los ASI
Originally published in Infonova #39, Professional and academic journal on addictions, Dianova Spain, 2022 – click here to download any Infonova issue (Spanish)
Abstract
This article examines the correlation between child and adolescent sexual abuse and the addiction of toxic substances in adolescence or adulthood as an indicator of the genesis of trauma. In the analysis between the two variables, the importance of evaluating and designing a comprehensive approach to traumatic sexual violence for the treatment of drug dependent patients is extracted, for which specific training is recommended for professional teams.
Keywords
Child and adolescent sexual abuse; impact; disenfranchised grief; trauma; problematic substance use.
Children and adolescents are a treasure to humanity, a treasure that should be protected by society with compassion and care. However, the taboo that surrounds the sexual violence they may experience is reflected in our collective silence. It is estimated that 1 in 4 females and 1 in 6 males will suffer sexual violence during childhood and/or adolescence (Pereda, Abad and Guilera, 2015; Segura, Pereda, Abad and Guilera, 2015). We are thus facing a patriarchal violence of pandemic proportions, entrenched in our social structure and associated with the objectification and invisibility of children and adolescents. In addition, most of this abuse is committed in the victim’s trusted environment, i.e. their families – whether within the family unit itself, or to a lesser extent, at the hands of close relatives and persons having authority, including family and friends, the school or the Church.
