Increased likelihood of depression, substance abuse, sexually transmitted disease, promiscuious behavior, criminal behavior, and difficulties in adult relationships have all been associated with victims of Child Sexual Abuse. One study found that 80% of children who have been sexually abused have some symptoms of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
In addition to the emotional costs, one study found that sexually violent acts against children in the U.S. (ages 0-14) cost $71 billion every year, or 61% of the cost of all violent crime for this age group. A single year of regular mental health counseling for the existing 45 million adult survivors of sexual abuse in the U.S. would cost more than $200 billion.
