... Historically, the sexual abuse of children was addressed reluctantly due to it being viewed as a disturbing taboo topic. In recent years the mental health profession has developed an understanding of the frequency and magnitude of concern necessary when dealing with child sexual abuse. This perspective is unavoidable as clinicians repeatedly see the manifestation of sexual abuse in the lives of their clients. This essay will outline the prevalence of child sexual abuse and the detrimental impact it has on victims. More specifically, this paper discusses how sexual abuse influences psychiatric disorders, neurobiological dysregulation and dysfunctional behaviours. It will then explain the psychologist's role in education about, awareness of, and research into child sexual abuse. Childhood sexual abuse is a complex life experience, not just a diagnosis or a disorder. An array of sexual activities is covered by the term child sexual abuse (CSA). These include intercourse, attempted intercourse, oral-genital contact, ...

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