Jornal de Trauma e Tratamento

Childhood Sexual Abuse: From Conceptualization to Treatment

Abstract

Rachel Lev-Wiesel

Summary: The paper proposes a conceptualization of the experience of fatherdaughter childhood sexual abuse through five traumagenic constructs to further understand the outcomes of it. The uniqueness’s of childhood sexual abuse compared to other forms of child abuse, in terms of symptoms and treatment principles, is described.

Findings: The 5-citraumagenic constructs are: Soul’s homelessness - the split between the body and mind, captured in time - the present and future as reflections of the past, entrapped in distorted intimacy - lack of authenticity, betrayal entrapment -the all in all betrayal, and re-enactment - the need to relive the experience.

Application: Principles required for interventions are drawn according to the traumagenic constructs; intensity, authenticity, and integration between body sensations, feelings, and thoughts.