<p>The following is a culmination of research I have conducted over a long time on the very subject.</p>

<h2>The term "statutory rape"</h2>

<p>This is a generic term and some consider it to include just victims under the age of consent, and some consider it to include victims aged 16-18 or older who are being taught in college/university.  Therefore, I would first like to address the term "statutory rape".</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Of all offenders of male statutory rape victims, 70% were age 21 and older, while 45% of offenders of female statutory rape victims were 21 and older (<a href="https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Troup-Leasure &amp; Snyder, 2005</a>).</p>
</blockquote>

<p>This has been amalgamated to form the statistic that young adults under age 25 are the most common perpetrators known to law enforcement (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2013.830668" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Oudekerk, et al. 2013</a>), because most (95%) statutory rape victims were female according to <a href="https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Troup-Leasure &amp; Snyder, (2005)</a>.</p>

<p><strong>One important point of note here</strong> is that the figures, as with all official rape and sexual assault statistics can only be based on cases reported to the police.  Many cases go unreported for many reasons, and therefore these statistics can be a little skewed.</p>

<p>In common law jurisdictions, statutory rape is <strong>nonforcible</strong> sexual activity in which one of the individuals is below the age of consent (the age required to legally consent to the behavior) (Cusack, 2015; <a href="https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Troup-Leasure &amp; Snyder, 2005</a>). Although it usually refers to adults engaging in sexual contact with minors under the age of consent, it is a generic term, and very few jurisdictions use the actual term statutory rape in the language of statutes (<a href="https://www.ovc.gov/publications/infores/statutoryrape/handbook/statrape.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Davis &amp; Twombly, 2000</a>)</p>

<p>Different jurisdictions use many different statutory terms for the crime, such as sexual assault, rape of a child, corruption of a minor, unlawful sex with a minor, carnal knowledge of a minor, unlawful carnal knowledge, sexual battery or simply carnal knowledge.</p>

<p>The terms child sexual abuse or child molestation may also be used, but statutory rape generally refers to sex between an adult and a sexually mature minor past the age of puberty, and may therefore be distinguished from child sexual abuse (Cusack, 2015; Fradella &amp; Sumner, 2016). Sexual relations with a prepubescent child in this case is typically treated as a more serious crime.</p>

<p>In statutory rape laws, overt force or threat is not present. Statutory rape laws presume coercion, because a minor or mentally handicapped adult is legally incapable of giving consent to the act.</p>

<h2>Female on male statutory rape</h2>

<p>Until the late 1970s, sex involving an adult female and an underage male was often ignored by the law, due to the belief that it is often sexual initiation for the younger male (Gartner, 2001) This view still exists within the public viewpoint, as it is glamorized by the media and there may be a gender bias in courts on teacher-student sexual relationships (though these relationships are illegal regardless of age).</p>

<p>To add to this, in at least one case, the U.S. courts have held that male victims of statutory rape <strong>may</strong> be liable for child support for any children resulting from the crime. In <em>County of San Luis Obispo v. Nathaniel J</em> (<a href="https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1847179.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">California courts of appeal, 1996</a>). the 15-year-old victim Nathaniel J. discussed a future relationship with the perpetrator (a 34-year-old woman) and stated that the sex was "mutually agreeable". Given this testimony, the California Court of Appeal held Nathaniel J. financially responsible for his child. The court stated the boy was "not an innocent victim" of the sexual intercourse.</p>

<h2>Early Research</h2>

<p>The way that long-term effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) have come to be put together reflects, in no small measure, the very particular circumstances that surrounded the revelation of CSA as an all too common event in the lives of children. The first phase of modern research into CSA was not triggered by observations on child victims, but by the self-disclosures of adults who had the courage to publicly give witness to their abuse as children. These early self-revealed victims who were studied, exclusively women, had often been the victims of incestuous abuse, and plausibly attributed many of their current personal difficulties to their sexual abuse as children. This contrasts with the emergence of child abuse as a public health and research issue that has been driven by the observations of professionals caring for abused children</p>

<h2>Long-term impact on mental health</h2>

<p>There have been numerous studies examining the association between a history of CSA and mental health problems in adult life that have employed clinical samples, convenience samples (usually students), and random community samples. There is now an established body of knowledge clearly linking a history of CSA with higher rates in adult life of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (<a href="http://www.academia.edu/download/43835259/Multivariate_correlates_of_childhood_psy20160317-13213-g58tjf.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Briere &amp; Runtz 1988</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.147.3.335" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Winfield et al. 1990</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01458.x" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bushnell et al. 1992</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.721" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mullen et al. 1993</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.152.9.1336" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Romans et al. 1995</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.193" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Romans et al. 1997</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00023" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fergusson et al. 1996a</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00024" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fergusson et al. 1996b</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(96)00059-2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Silverman et al. 1996</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.931217875.x" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fleming et al. 1998</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00118-5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fleming et al. 1999</a>). A more controversial literature links multiple personality disorder with CSA (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F009164719202000314" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bucky &amp; Dallenberg 1992</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/10216-000" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Spanos 1996</a>).</p>

<h2>Unravelling the associations between abuse and long-term problems</h2>

<p>There is a wide range of potential adverse adult outcomes associated with CSA. However, although there is a proposal by Karen Rodman, Director and Founder of FAAAS Inc (<a href="http://www.faaas.org" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome</a>) for <a href="https://theneurotypical.com/posttraumatic_relationship_syndrome.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Post-Traumatic Relationship Syndrome or Ongoing Traumatic Relationship Syndrome (OTRS)</a>, there is no unique pattern to the long-term effects and no <strong>real</strong> distinctly specific “post-abuse syndrome” that I have found. This suggests that CSA is best viewed as a risk factor for a wide range of subsequent problems.</p>

<p>In studies on the long-term impact of CSA that employ adult subjects, it is all too easy to forget the abuse occurred in childhood, and to resort to applying inappropriately adult-centred conceptualisations.</p>

<p>The sexual abuse of children occurs during a period in life where complex and, hopefully, ordered changes are occurring in the child's physical, psychological and social being. The state of flux leaves the child vulnerable to sustaining damage that will detrimentally affect the normal developmental processes. The impact of abuse is likely to be modified by the developmental stage at which it occurs. It will also vary according to how resilient the child is in terms of their psychological and social development up to that point. A child who has already had to cope with, for example, a problematic family background or prior emotional abuse, will be more vulnerable to the additional blow of CSA.</p>

<p>These suppositions are borne out by studies that have demonstrated powerful interactions between the child's prior exposure to potentially damaging situations, and the degree of adult disturbance apparently associated with a history of CSA (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.721" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mullen et al. 1993</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.165.1.35" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Mullen et al. 1994</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00023" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fergusson et al. 1996a</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00024" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fergusson et al. 1996b</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00039-2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fergusson et al. 1997a</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00021-5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Fergusson et al. 1997b</a>).</p>

<p>The long-term effects of CSA will also be modified by the individual's experience subsequent to the abuse. Romans et al. (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.152.9.1336" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1995</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.193" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1997</a>) demonstrated that long-term problems following CSA were significantly lower in those who had supportive and confiding relationships with their mothers and in those who, as adolescents, experienced some success at school or with peers. The nature of this success (academic, social or sporting), is probably less important than the accompanying strengthening of self-esteem and enhancement of opportunities for effective social interactions with peers.</p>

<p>The relationship between the potential damage inflicted on elements in the child's development and subsequent mitigating factors is complex. For example, the observation that those victims of CSA who manage to establish and maintain stable marital relationships are protected against some of the potentially adverse outcomes of CSA (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.60.2.174" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Cole &amp; Putnam 1992</a>) may reflect, in part, the mitigating and healing influence of patience and understanding from their partners.</p>

<p>Peters (<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1988-98633-005" rel="nofollow noreferrer">1988</a>) suggested that CSA interacts with family background to produce disruption of the child's developing self-esteem and sense of mastery of the world (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1086/681216" rel="nofollow noreferrer">agency</a>). It is these deficits that increase the likelihood of psychological problems in later life. This model of developmental deficits leading to social and personal vulnerabilities in adult life, which in their turn create an increased risk of mental health problems, can usefully be expanded.</p>

<p>Those with histories of CSA, have an increased risk of social, interpersonal and sexual problems in adult life. This association may play a role in creating at least some of the far better-known associations between CSA and mental health problems. </p>

<p>Greater vulnerability to depression is found in women who lack a trusting, intimate and confiding relationship (Henderson and Brown 1988; Harris 1988; <a href="https://doi.org/10.3109/00048679209072075" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Romans et al. 1992</a>). Depression is also associated with lowered self-esteem and a sense of hopelessness about one's ability to influence one's life (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Browne &amp; Finkelhor 1986</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.148.4.375" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Ingham et al. 1986</a>). Therefore, the social, interpersonal and sexual problems associated with a history of CSA may themselves provide fertile ground for the development of mental health problems, particularly in the area of depressive disorders.</p>

<p>A plausible hypothesis can be put forward that the developmental disruption in CSA victims' sense of self-esteem, sense of agency, sense of the world as a safe enough environment, in their capacity for entering trusting intimate relationships and, finally, in their developing sexuality, leads in adult life to an increased risk of low self-esteem, social and economic failure, social insecurity and isolation, difficulties with intimacy and sexual problems.</p>

<h2>Gender Differences</h2>

<p>Research continues to depict CSA as predominantly perpetrated against female children. It is estimated that 1 in 20 children in the UK have been sexually assaulted (<a href="http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.466.6459&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Radford et al. 2011</a>). According to the Office for National Statistics, between March 2003 and September 2018, 82% of sexual assaults in England and Wales were on girls under 16 leaving 18% on boys under 16 (<a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables/yearendingseptember2018/appendixtablesyearendingseptember2018.xlsx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Table A4 in Elkin (2019)</a>). In Australia, in 2003, 76% of recorded sexual assault victims aged under 15 years of age were female and 24% were male (<a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs%40.nsf/DetailsPage/4523.02004" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Trewin, 2004</a>).</p>

<p>The thing to remember about crime statistics are these are <strong>only assaults which are reported to the police</strong> and many go unreported (<a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0I8K5x8oOJkC&amp;printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Gregory &amp; Lees, 1999</a>).</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Child sexual abuse is clearly an issue in need of a nuanced understanding of both male and female victims. Research suggests that the sexual abuse of boys is far more common than generally believed (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.659803" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dorahy &amp; Clearwater, 2012</a>). This is emerging from studies of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and from studies of gay and bisexual men. The prevalence rates for both groups are significantly higher than the more commonly cited figures for males in the general population (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022307323744" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Jinich et al., 1998</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-008-9449-3" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wilson &amp; Widom, 2010</a>). In relation to clergy-perpetrated abuse, it is becoming clear, as outlined earlier, that boys are much more likely than girls to be the victims of this type of abuse, though it may not be formally reported to authorities for some time, if ever (<a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/the-nature-and-scope-of-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-catholic-priests-and-deacons-in-the-united-states-1950-2002.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">John Jay College, 2004</a>; <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.689424" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Parkinson et al., 2010</a>).</p>
  
  <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse/gender-differences-long-term-impacts-child-sexual" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Cashmore &amp; Shackel (2013)</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>Talking to male victims myself in my line of work over the years has revealed that boys suffer the same as girls, with additional problems whereby cultural images of how "real men" should think, feel and act can create problems (<a href="https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/fathers-history-child-sexual-abuse-new-findings-f/introduction" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Price-Robertson, 2012</a>).</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>powerful barriers to male victim/survivors of child sexual abuse disclosing their experiences to others, accepting their experience as one that may have had a formative influence on their lives, and healing from the trauma of the abuse … [This] means that many in society have difficulty fully acknowledging and accepting the reality of the sexual abuse of males during childhood/adolescence, and the trauma it can inflict. (p. 5)</p>
</blockquote>

<p><a href="https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse/gender-differences-long-term-impacts-child-sexual#table-2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Table 2 in Cashmore &amp; Shackel (2013)</a> summarises the findings from 11 studies on the impact of CSA on males and a comparison between male survivors of child sexual abuse and female survivors and non-abused men. Overall, research on the effects of CSA amongst male victims indicates that male survivors often "experience the event as traumatic and that psychological distress is a common long-term correlate" of such abuse.</p>

<h2>References</h2>

<p>Briere, J., &amp; Runtz, M. (1988). Multivariate correlates of childhood psychological and physical maltreatment among university women. <em>Child Abuse &amp; Neglect, 12</em>(3), 331-341. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(88)90046-46g66" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1016/0145-2134(88)90046-4</a></p>

<p>Browne, A., &amp; Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. <em>Psychological bulletin, 99</em>(1), 66. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66</a></p>

<p>Bucky, S. F., &amp; Dalenberg, C. (1992). The relationship between training of mental health professionals and the reporting of ritual abuse and multiple personality disorder symptomatology. <em>Journal of Psychology and Theology, 20</em>(3), 233-238. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F009164719202000314" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1177/009164719202000314</a></p>

<p>Bushnell, J. A., Wells, J. E., &amp; Oakley‐Browne, M. A. (1992). Long‐term effects of intrafamilial sexual abuse in childhood. <em>Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 85</em>(2), 136-142. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01458.x" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01458.x</a></p>

<p>California courts of appeal (1996). <em>County of San Luis Obispo v. Nathaniel J</em> [Online]<br>Retrieved from: <a href="https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1847179.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1847179.html</a></p>

<p>Cashmore, J. and Shackel, R. (2013). <em>CFCA Paper No. 11</em>. Southbank, Victoria, Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrievable from: <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse</a></p>

<p>Cole, P. M., &amp; Putnam, F. W. (1992). Effect of incest on self and social functioning: A developmental psychopathology perspective. <em>Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 60</em>(2), 174. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.60.2.174" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1037/0022-006X.60.2.174</a></p>

<p>Cusack, C. M. (2015). <em>Laws Relating to Sex, Pregnancy, and Infancy: Issues in Criminal Justice</em>. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.</p>

<p>Davis, N. S., &amp; Twombly, J. (2000). <em>State legislators' handbook for statutory rape issues</em>. American Bar Association, Center on Children and the Law. pdf: <a href="https://www.ovc.gov/publications/infores/statutoryrape/handbook/statrape.pdf6" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.ovc.gov/publications/infores/statutoryrape/handbook/statrape.pdf6</a></p>

<p>Dorahy, M. J., &amp; Clearwater, K. (2012). Shame and guilt in men exposed to childhood sexual abuse: A qualitative investigation. <em>Journal of child sexual abuse, 21</em>(2), 155-175. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.659803" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1080/10538712.2012.659803</a></p>

<p>Elkin, M. (2019). <em>Table A4: Police recorded crime by offence, year ending March 2003 to year ending September 2018</em> Pimlico, London, UK: Office for National Statistics. Rerievable from: <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables/yearendingseptember2018/appendixtablesyearendingseptember2018.xlsx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables/yearendingseptember2018/appendixtablesyearendingseptember2018.xlsx</a></p>

<p>Fergusson, D. M., Lynskey, M. T., &amp; Horwood, L. J. (1996a). Childhood sexual abuse and psychiatric disorder in young adulthood: I. Prevalence of sexual abuse and factors associated with sexual abuse. <em>Journal of the American Academy of Child &amp; Adolescent Psychiatry, 35</em>(10), 1355-1364. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00023" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1097/00004583-199610000-00023</a></p>

<p>Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., &amp; Lynskey, M. T. (1996b). Childhood sexual abuse and psychiatric disorder in young adulthood: II. Psychiatric outcomes of childhood sexual abuse. <em>Journal of the American Academy of Child &amp; Adolescent Psychiatry, 35</em>(10), 1365-1374. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00024" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1097/00004583-199610000-00024</a></p>

<p>Fergusson, D. M., Horwood, L. J., &amp; Lynskey, M. T. (1997a). Childhood sexual abuse, adolescent sexual behaviors and sexual revictimization. <em>Child abuse &amp; neglect, 21</em>(8), 789-803. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00039-2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00039-2</a></p>

<p>Fergusson, D. M., &amp; Lynskey, M. T. (1997b). Physical punishment/maltreatment during childhood and adjustment in young adulthood. <em>Child abuse &amp; neglect, 21</em>(7), 617-630. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00021-5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00021-5</a></p>

<p>Fleming, J., Mullen, P. E., Sibthorpe, B., Attewell, R., &amp; Bammer, G. (1998). The relationship between childhood sexual abuse and alcohol abuse in women‐a case‐control study. <em>Addiction, 93</em>(12), 1787-1798. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.931217875.x" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.931217875.x</a></p>

<p>Fleming, J., Mullen, P. E., Sibthorpe, B., &amp; Bammer, G. (1999). The long-term impact of childhood sexual abuse in Australian women. <em>Child abuse &amp; neglect, 23</em>(2), 145-159. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00118-5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00118-5</a></p>

<p>Fradella, H. F., &amp; Sumner, J. M. (Eds.). (2016). <em>Sex, Sexuality, Law, and (in) justice</em>. New York, NY: Routledge.</p>

<p>Gartner, R. B. (2001). <em>Betrayed as boys: Psychodynamic treatment of sexually abused men</em>. New York, NY: Guilford Press.</p>

<p>Gregory, J., &amp; Lees, S. (1999). <em>Policing sexual assault</em>. London, UK: Routledge.</p>

<p>Harris, T. O. (1988), Psychosocial vulnerability to depression. In S. Henderson and G. Burrows (eds) <em>Handbook of Social Psychiatry</em>. Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 55 - 71.</p>

<p>Henderson, A. S. and Brown, G. S. (1988), Social support: the hypothesis and the evidence. In S. Henderson and G. Burrows (eds) <em>Handbook of Social Psychiatry</em>, , Amsterdam: Elsevier. pp. 73 - 85.</p>

<p>Ingham, J. G., Kreitman, N. B., Miller, P. M., Sashidharan, S. P., &amp; Surtees, P. G. (1986). Self-esteem, vulnerability and psychiatric disorder in the community. <em>The British Journal of Psychiatry, 148</em>(4), 375-385. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.148.4.375" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1192/bjp.148.4.375</a></p>

<p>John Jay College Research Team. (2004). <em>The nature and scope of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests and deacons in the United States, 1950-2002: A research study conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice (National Clergy Sex Abuse Report)</em>. Retrievable from: <a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/the-nature-and-scope-of-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-catholic-priests-and-deacons-in-the-united-states-1950-2002.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/the-nature-and-scope-of-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-catholic-priests-and-deacons-in-the-united-states-1950-2002.pdf</a></p>

<p>Jinich, S., Paul, J. P., Stall, R., Acree, M., Kegeles, S., Hoff, C., &amp; Coates, T. J. (1998). Childhood sexual abuse and HIV risk-taking behavior among gay and bisexual men. <em>AIDS and Behavior, 2</em>(1), 41-51. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022307323744" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1023/A:1022307323744</a></p>

<p>Mullen, P. E., Martin, J. L., Anderson, J. C., Romans, S. E., &amp; Herbison, G. P. (1993). Childhood sexual abuse and mental health in adult life. <em>The British Journal of Psychiatry, 163</em>(6), 721-732. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.721" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1192/bjp.163.6.721</a></p>

<p>Mullen, P. E., Martin, J. L., Anderson, J. C., Romans, S. E., &amp; Herbison, G. P. (1994). The effect of child sexual abuse on social, interpersonal and sexual function in adult life. <em>The British Journal of Psychiatry, 165</em>(1), 35-47. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.165.1.35" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1192/bjp.165.1.35</a></p>

<p>Oudekerk, B. A., Farr, R. H., &amp; Reppucci, N. D. (2013). Is it love or sexual abuse? Young adults' perceptions of statutory rape. <em>Journal of child sexual abuse, 22</em>(7), 858-877. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2013.830668" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1080/10538712.2013.830668</a></p>

<p>Parkinson, P. N., Oates, R. K., &amp; Jayakody, A. A. (2012). Child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia. <em>Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 21</em>(5), 553-570. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.689424" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1080/10538712.2012.689424</a></p>

<p>Price-Robertson, R. (2012). <em>Fathers with a History of Child Sexual Abuse: New Findings for Policy and Practice</em> (CFCA Paper No. 6). Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrievable from: <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/fathers-history-child-sexual-abuse-new-findings-f/introduction" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/fathers-history-child-sexual-abuse-new-findings-f/introduction</a></p>

<p>Peters, S. D. (1988). Child sexual abuse and later psychological problems. In <em>Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, 93rd, Aug, 1985, Los Angeles, CA, US</em>. Sage Publications, Inc. <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1988-98633-005" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1988-98633-005</a></p>

<p>Radford, L., Corral, S., Bradley, C., Fisher, H., Bassett, C., Howat, N., &amp; Collishaw, S. (2011). Child abuse and neglect in the UK today. London: NSPCC. Retrievable from: <a href="http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.466.6459&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.466.6459&amp;rep=rep1&amp;type=pdf</a></p>

<p>Romans, S. E., Walton, V. A., Herbison, G. P., &amp; Mullen, P. E. (1992). Social networks and psychiatric morbidity in New Zealand women. <em>Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 26</em>(3), 485-492. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3109/00048679209072075" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.3109/00048679209072075</a></p>

<p>Romans, S. E., Martin, J. L., Anderson, J. C., Herbison, G. P., &amp; Mullen, P. E. (1995). Sexual abuse in childhood and deliberate self-harm. <em>American Journal of Psychiatry, 152</em>(9), 1336-1342. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.152.9.1336" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1176/ajp.152.9.1336</a></p>

<p>Romans, S., Martin, J., &amp; Mullen, P. (1997). Childhood sexual abuse and later psychological problems: Neither necessary, sufficient nor acting alone. <em>Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 7</em>(4), 327-338. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.193" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1002/cbm.193</a></p>

<p>Silverman, A. B., Reinherz, H. Z., &amp; Giaconia, R. M. (1996). The long-term sequelae of child and adolescent abuse: A longitudinal community study. <em>Child abuse &amp; neglect, 20</em>(8), 709-723. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(96)00059-2" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1016/0145-2134(96)00059-2</a></p>

<p>Spanos, N. P. (1996), <em>Multiple Identities and False Memories: A Sociocognitive Perspective</em>. Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/10216-000" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1037/10216-000</a></p>

<p>Trewin, D. (2004). Sexual assault in Australia: A statistical overview. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrievable from: <a href="http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs%40.nsf/DetailsPage/4523.02004" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs%40.nsf/DetailsPage/4523.02004</a></p>

<p>Troup-Leasure, K., &amp; Snyder, H. (2005). <em>Statutory rape known to law enforcement (Juvenile Justice Bulletin No. NCJ 208803)</em>. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. pdf: <a href="https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf</a></p>

<p>Wilson, H. W., &amp; Widom, C. S. (2010). Does physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect in childhood increase the likelihood of same-sex sexual relationships and cohabitation? A prospective 30-year follow-up. <em>Archives of Sexual Behavior, 39</em>(1), 63-74. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-008-9449-3" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1007/s10508-008-9449-3</a></p>

<p>Winfield, I., George, L. K., Swartz, M., &amp; Blazer, D. G. (1990). Sexual assault and psychiatric disorders among a community sample of women. <em>The American Journal of Psychiatry, 147</em>(3), 335-341. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.147.3.335" rel="nofollow noreferrer">10.1176/ajp.147.3.335</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-09T13:04:04.873Z
2019-04-13T11:07:46.833Z
2019-04-13T11:07:46.833Z
Chris Rogers
<p>Occasionally, criminal cases where female teachers have sex with male students make the news. I have the impression that many people are much less critical of that than when the victim is female, and some say they'd have been thrilled at the prospect of that happening to them when they were teenage boys.</p>

<p>I don't see the same happening when girls get raped by their teachers; I don't see similar jealousy from women. <strong>That makes me wonder:</strong> is there a significant difference in the psychological effects of statutory rape on teens, assuming the teens saw the rape as consensual from their perspective? Are there insights by gender on how many teens that were victims of statutory rape considered the events consensual (ignoring whether we would classify their "consent" as such in a cognitive-development sense), and how that affected the effects of the rape on their psyche?</p>

<hr>

<p>Googling these issues brings up a large body of heavily political opinion with very scattered actual references and data that I could look into, and none of the material I could find addressed the questions I'm curious about scientifically. Even an article on <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-act-violence/201208/female-teachers-sexual-predators" rel="noreferrer">psychologytoday.com</a> that seemed relevant doesn't have any actual references to data or studies. An article on <a href="https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/sexual-disorders/lessons-learn-female-educators-who-sexually-abuse-their-students" rel="noreferrer">psychiatrictimes.com</a> focused on female offenders and said nothing substantial about the effects on male victims, or how the effects compare to those experienced by female victims. I couldn't find any science-journalistic articles (or books) that would offer any insight better than those two.</p>

<p>scholar.google.com had a lot of material, most of it was focused on the experiences of females, and I couldn't find any that compared the effects on males and females, or that made any evaluation that took the willingness of the victims into account.</p>

<p>Basically, there's a lot of politicized material that's largely useless as a source of knowledge about the subject, and a decent amount of scientific material that I don't have the necessary skills and knowledge to evaluate or navigate. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-30T21:03:29.150Z
Related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/16830/7001
Arnon Weinberg
<sexuality><sex-differences><trauma><sexual-assault>
Psychological effects of statutory rape - differences by gender?
G. Bach
# Psychological effects of statutory rape - differences by gender?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-30)

Occasionally, criminal cases where female teachers have sex with male students make the news. I have the impression that many people are much less critical of that than when the victim is female, and some say they'd have been thrilled at the prospect of that happening to them when they were teenage boys.

I don't see the same happening when girls get raped by their teachers; I don't see similar jealousy from women. **That makes me wonder:** is there a significant difference in the psychological effects of statutory rape on teens, assuming the teens saw the rape as consensual from their perspective? Are there insights by gender on how many teens that were victims of statutory rape considered the events consensual (ignoring whether we would classify their "consent" as such in a cognitive-development sense), and how that affected the effects of the rape on their psyche?

---

Googling these issues brings up a large body of heavily political opinion with very scattered actual references and data that I could look into, and none of the material I could find addressed the questions I'm curious about scientifically. Even an article on [psychologytoday.com](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-act-violence/201208/female-teachers-sexual-predators) that seemed relevant doesn't have any actual references to data or studies. An article on [psychiatrictimes.com](https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/sexual-disorders/lessons-learn-female-educators-who-sexually-abuse-their-students) focused on female offenders and said nothing substantial about the effects on male victims, or how the effects compare to those experienced by female victims. I couldn't find any science-journalistic articles (or books) that would offer any insight better than those two.

scholar.google.com had a lot of material, most of it was focused on the experiences of females, and I couldn't find any that compared the effects on males and females, or that made any evaluation that took the willingness of the victims into account.

Basically, there's a lot of politicized material that's largely useless as a source of knowledge about the subject, and a decent amount of scientific material that I don't have the necessary skills and knowledge to evaluate or navigate.

**Tags:** sexuality, sex-differences, trauma, sexual-assault

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Related: https://psychology.stackexchange.com/q/16830/7001  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-04-09. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

The following is a culmination of research I have conducted over a long time on the very subject.

## The term "statutory rape"

This is a generic term and some consider it to include just victims under the age of consent, and some consider it to include victims aged 16-18 or older who are being taught in college/university.  Therefore, I would first like to address the term "statutory rape".

> Of all offenders of male statutory rape victims, 70% were age 21 and older, while 45% of offenders of female statutory rape victims were 21 and older ([Troup-Leasure & Snyder, 2005](https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf)).

This has been amalgamated to form the statistic that young adults under age 25 are the most common perpetrators known to law enforcement ([Oudekerk, et al. 2013](https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2013.830668)), because most (95%) statutory rape victims were female according to [Troup-Leasure & Snyder, (2005)](https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf).

**One important point of note here** is that the figures, as with all official rape and sexual assault statistics can only be based on cases reported to the police.  Many cases go unreported for many reasons, and therefore these statistics can be a little skewed.

In common law jurisdictions, statutory rape is **nonforcible** sexual activity in which one of the individuals is below the age of consent (the age required to legally consent to the behavior) (Cusack, 2015; [Troup-Leasure & Snyder, 2005](https://classic.ntis.gov/assets/pdf/st-on-cd/PB2007105633.pdf)). Although it usually refers to adults engaging in sexual contact with minors under the age of consent, it is a generic term, and very few jurisdictions use the actual term statutory rape in the language of statutes ([Davis & Twombly, 2000](https://www.ovc.gov/publications/infores/statutoryrape/handbook/statrape.pdf))

Different jurisdictions use many different statutory terms for the crime, such as sexual assault, rape of a child, corruption of a minor, unlawful sex with a minor, carnal knowledge of a minor, unlawful carnal knowledge, sexual battery or simply carnal knowledge.

The terms child sexual abuse or child molestation may also be used, but statutory rape generally refers to sex between an adult and a sexually mature minor past the age of puberty, and may therefore be distinguished from child sexual abuse (Cusack, 2015; Fradella & Sumner, 2016). Sexual relations with a prepubescent child in this case is typically treated as a more serious crime.

In statutory rape laws, overt force or threat is not present. Statutory rape laws presume coercion, because a minor or mentally handicapped adult is legally incapable of giving consent to the act.

## Female on male statutory rape

Until the late 1970s, sex involving an adult female and an underage male was often ignored by the law, due to the belief that it is often sexual initiation for the younger male (Gartner, 2001) This view still exists within the public viewpoint, as it is glamorized by the media and there may be a gender bias in courts on teacher-student sexual relationships (though these relationships are illegal regardless of age).

To add to this, in at least one case, the U.S. courts have held that male victims of statutory rape **may** be liable for child support for any children resulting from the crime. In *County of San Luis Obispo v. Nathaniel J* ([California courts of appeal, 1996](https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1847179.html)). the 15-year-old victim Nathaniel J. discussed a future relationship with the perpetrator (a 34-year-old woman) and stated that the sex was "mutually agreeable". Given this testimony, the California Court of Appeal held Nathaniel J. financially responsible for his child. The court stated the boy was "not an innocent victim" of the sexual intercourse.

## Early Research

The way that long-term effects of child sexual abuse (CSA) have come to be put together reflects, in no small measure, the very particular circumstances that surrounded the revelation of CSA as an all too common event in the lives of children. The first phase of modern research into CSA was not triggered by observations on child victims, but by the self-disclosures of adults who had the courage to publicly give witness to their abuse as children. These early self-revealed victims who were studied, exclusively women, had often been the victims of incestuous abuse, and plausibly attributed many of their current personal difficulties to their sexual abuse as children. This contrasts with the emergence of child abuse as a public health and research issue that has been driven by the observations of professionals caring for abused children

## Long-term impact on mental health

There have been numerous studies examining the association between a history of CSA and mental health problems in adult life that have employed clinical samples, convenience samples (usually students), and random community samples. There is now an established body of knowledge clearly linking a history of CSA with higher rates in adult life of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, substance abuse disorders, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ([Briere & Runtz 1988](http://www.academia.edu/download/43835259/Multivariate_correlates_of_childhood_psy20160317-13213-g58tjf.pdf); [Winfield et al. 1990](https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.147.3.335); [Bushnell et al. 1992](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01458.x); [Mullen et al. 1993](https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.721); [Romans et al. 1995](https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.152.9.1336); [Romans et al. 1997](https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.193); [Fergusson et al. 1996a](https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00023); [Fergusson et al. 1996b](https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00024); [Silverman et al. 1996](https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(96)00059-2); [Fleming et al. 1998](https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.931217875.x); [Fleming et al. 1999](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(98)00118-5)). A more controversial literature links multiple personality disorder with CSA ([Bucky & Dallenberg 1992](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F009164719202000314); [Spanos 1996](https://doi.org/10.1037/10216-000)).

## Unravelling the associations between abuse and long-term problems

There is a wide range of potential adverse adult outcomes associated with CSA. However, although there is a proposal by Karen Rodman, Director and Founder of FAAAS Inc ([Families of Adults Afflicted with Asperger's Syndrome](http://www.faaas.org)) for [Post-Traumatic Relationship Syndrome or Ongoing Traumatic Relationship Syndrome (OTRS)](https://theneurotypical.com/posttraumatic_relationship_syndrome.html), there is no unique pattern to the long-term effects and no **real** distinctly specific “post-abuse syndrome” that I have found. This suggests that CSA is best viewed as a risk factor for a wide range of subsequent problems.

In studies on the long-term impact of CSA that employ adult subjects, it is all too easy to forget the abuse occurred in childhood, and to resort to applying inappropriately adult-centred conceptualisations.

The sexual abuse of children occurs during a period in life where complex and, hopefully, ordered changes are occurring in the child's physical, psychological and social being. The state of flux leaves the child vulnerable to sustaining damage that will detrimentally affect the normal developmental processes. The impact of abuse is likely to be modified by the developmental stage at which it occurs. It will also vary according to how resilient the child is in terms of their psychological and social development up to that point. A child who has already had to cope with, for example, a problematic family background or prior emotional abuse, will be more vulnerable to the additional blow of CSA.

These suppositions are borne out by studies that have demonstrated powerful interactions between the child's prior exposure to potentially damaging situations, and the degree of adult disturbance apparently associated with a history of CSA ([Mullen et al. 1993](https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.163.6.721); [Mullen et al. 1994](https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.165.1.35); [Fergusson et al. 1996a](https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00023); [Fergusson et al. 1996b](https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199610000-00024); [Fergusson et al. 1997a](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00039-2); [Fergusson et al. 1997b](https://doi.org/10.1016/S0145-2134(97)00021-5)).

The long-term effects of CSA will also be modified by the individual's experience subsequent to the abuse. Romans et al. ([1995](https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.152.9.1336) and [1997](https://doi.org/10.1002/cbm.193)) demonstrated that long-term problems following CSA were significantly lower in those who had supportive and confiding relationships with their mothers and in those who, as adolescents, experienced some success at school or with peers. The nature of this success (academic, social or sporting), is probably less important than the accompanying strengthening of self-esteem and enhancement of opportunities for effective social interactions with peers.

The relationship between the potential damage inflicted on elements in the child's development and subsequent mitigating factors is complex. For example, the observation that those victims of CSA who manage to establish and maintain stable marital relationships are protected against some of the potentially adverse outcomes of CSA ([Cole & Putnam 1992](https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.60.2.174)) may reflect, in part, the mitigating and healing influence of patience and understanding from their partners.

Peters ([1988](https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1988-98633-005)) suggested that CSA interacts with family background to produce disruption of the child's developing self-esteem and sense of mastery of the world ([agency](https://doi.org/10.1086/681216)). It is these deficits that increase the likelihood of psychological problems in later life. This model of developmental deficits leading to social and personal vulnerabilities in adult life, which in their turn create an increased risk of mental health problems, can usefully be expanded.

Those with histories of CSA, have an increased risk of social, interpersonal and sexual problems in adult life. This association may play a role in creating at least some of the far better-known associations between CSA and mental health problems.

Greater vulnerability to depression is found in women who lack a trusting, intimate and confiding relationship (Henderson and Brown 1988; Harris 1988; [Romans et al. 1992](https://doi.org/10.3109/00048679209072075)). Depression is also associated with lowered self-esteem and a sense of hopelessness about one's ability to influence one's life ([Browne & Finkelhor 1986](https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66), [Ingham et al. 1986](https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.148.4.375)). Therefore, the social, interpersonal and sexual problems associated with a history of CSA may themselves provide fertile ground for the development of mental health problems, particularly in the area of depressive disorders.

A plausible hypothesis can be put forward that the developmental disruption in CSA victims' sense of self-esteem, sense of agency, sense of the world as a safe enough environment, in their capacity for entering trusting intimate relationships and, finally, in their developing sexuality, leads in adult life to an increased risk of low self-esteem, social and economic failure, social insecurity and isolation, difficulties with intimacy and sexual problems.

## Gender Differences

Research continues to depict CSA as predominantly perpetrated against female children. It is estimated that 1 in 20 children in the UK have been sexually assaulted ([Radford et al. 2011](http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.466.6459&rep=rep1&type=pdf)). According to the Office for National Statistics, between March 2003 and September 2018, 82% of sexual assaults in England and Wales were on girls under 16 leaving 18% on boys under 16 ([Table A4 in Elkin (2019)](https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/datasets/crimeinenglandandwalesappendixtables/yearendingseptember2018/appendixtablesyearendingseptember2018.xlsx)). In Australia, in 2003, 76% of recorded sexual assault victims aged under 15 years of age were female and 24% were male ([Trewin, 2004](http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs%40.nsf/DetailsPage/4523.02004)).

The thing to remember about crime statistics are these are **only assaults which are reported to the police** and many go unreported ([Gregory & Lees, 1999](https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0I8K5x8oOJkC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false)).

> Child sexual abuse is clearly an issue in need of a nuanced understanding of both male and female victims. Research suggests that the sexual abuse of boys is far more common than generally believed ([Dorahy & Clearwater, 2012](https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.659803)). This is emerging from studies of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and from studies of gay and bisexual men. The prevalence rates for both groups are significantly higher than the more commonly cited figures for males in the general population ([Jinich et al., 1998](https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022307323744); [Wilson & Widom, 2010](https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-008-9449-3)). In relation to clergy-perpetrated abuse, it is becoming clear, as outlined earlier, that boys are much more likely than girls to be the victims of this type of abuse, though it may not be formally reported to authorities for some time, if ever ([John Jay College, 2004](http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/the-nature-and-scope-of-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-catholic-priests-and-deacons-in-the-united-states-1950-2002.pdf); [Parkinson et al., 2010](https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2012.689424)).
>
>      - [Cashmore & Shackel (2013)](https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse/gender-differences-long-term-impacts-child-sexual)

Talking to male victims myself in my line of work over the years has revealed that boys suffer the same as girls, with additional problems whereby cultural images of how "real men" should think, feel and act can create problems ([Price-Robertson, 2012](https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/fathers-history-child-sexual-abuse-new-findings-f/introduction)).

> powerful barriers to male victim/survivors of child sexual abuse disclosing their experiences to others, accepting their experience as one that may have had a formative influence on their lives, and healing from the trauma of the abuse … [This] means that many in society have difficulty fully acknowledging and accepting the reality of the sexual abuse of males during childhood/adolescence, and the trauma it can inflict. (p. 5)

[Table 2 in Cashmore & Shackel (2013)](https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse/gender-differences-long-term-impacts-child-sexual#table-2) summarises the findings from 11 studies on the impact of CSA on males and a comparison between male survivors of child sexual abuse and female survivors and non-abused men. Overall, research on the effects of CSA amongst male victims indicates that male survivors often "experience the event as traumatic and that psychological distress is a common long-term correlate" of such abuse.

## References

Briere, J., & Runtz, M. (1988). Multivariate correlates of childhood psychological and physical maltreatment among university women. *Child Abuse & Neglect, 12*(3), 331-341. doi: [10.1016/0145-2134(88)90046-4](https://doi.org/10.1016/0145-2134(88)90046-46g66)

Browne, A., & Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. *Psychological bulletin, 99*(1), 66. doi: [10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66](https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.99.1.66)

Bucky, S. F., & Dalenberg, C. (1992). The relationship between training of mental health professionals and the reporting of ritual abuse and multiple personality disorder symptomatology. *Journal of Psychology and Theology, 20*(3), 233-238. doi: [10.1177/009164719202000314](https://doi.org/10.1177%2F009164719202000314)

Bushnell, J. A., Wells, J. E., & Oakley‐Browne, M. A. (1992). Long‐term effects of intrafamilial sexual abuse in childhood. *Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 85*(2), 136-142. doi: [10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01458.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01458.x)

California courts of appeal (1996). *County of San Luis Obispo v. Nathaniel J* [Online]  
Retrieved from: <https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1847179.html>

Cashmore, J. and Shackel, R. (2013). *CFCA Paper No. 11*. Southbank, Victoria, Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Retrievable from: <https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/long-term-effects-child-sexual-abuse>

Cole, P. M., & Putnam, F. W. (1992). Effect of incest on self and social functioning: A developmental psychopathology perspective. *Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 60*(2), 174. doi: [10.1037/0022-006X.60.2.174](https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.60.2.174)

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