Does a child who is sexually abused in any sense, always remember who did it to them no matter what age they were? Is it possible that the "memories" only come to light as an adult?
I am asking in concern for a friend. Thanks
2007-03-15 08:58:34 · 12 answers · asked by SH2007 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
i'm talking about a child still in nappies
2007-03-15 09:50:33 · update #1
No, sometimes the memories get blocked to protect the victim, a sort of a survival mechanism.
Mine started when I was about 4, but a lot of what happened didn't surface properly in my memory until I was about 30.
2007-03-16 07:47:02 · answer #1 · answered by Stuart C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,of course why not! But it all depends on ages. If the child is, lets say about 3 yrs old and is sexually abused, then perhaps, the child won't remember. But if the child from the age of 3 to 8 is sexually abused then the child will surely remember, because the child get more mature.
2007-03-15 16:05:53 · answer #2 · answered by Natasha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a child was abused and remembers the abuse then yes they would probably remember who did it - I don't think the memories come to light in adulthood I would imagine those memories have been there since it happened and they may have just tried to ignore them so they could get on with their life - only as as adult they may realise the full extent of what happened
2007-03-15 16:03:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. There is some belief that young children forget abuse. And that it can "come back" in adult years. It occurs through a process called Dissociation ~ where a child is capable of altering their mind and bodies during abusive situations.
Most pyschologist believe this to happen, that the pain is just too much to remember.
Plus, there is also the issue of "good parent/bad parent" that the child has to develop an altered sense of consciousness in order to continue to survive.
So, yes. it is possible to forget abuse until adulthood. HOWEVER, there is usually a trigger in adulthood that causes the adult to remember, usually something traumatic.
2007-03-15 16:05:37 · answer #4 · answered by riptide_71 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i mayb over analysing this but, children r often 2 resilient & will blank-out a bad experience.
it can sometimes take many years 2 fully recall the extent of abuse & who is responsible.
ur friend should find some professional help & seek advice.
2007-03-15 16:10:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, i was 8 when it first started for me, and i still see his face and im 21 though i didn't realise what had happened until i did sex ed in school, at the time i didn't know what it was or that it was wrong i just thought it was a game which is what i was told
2007-03-15 16:04:27 · answer #6 · answered by white_funny_girl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i think they will always remember, but subconsciously as a child they block it out, only choosing to remember as an adult when they may be able to cope with it better.
But that is just my opinion
2007-03-15 16:02:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i was sexual abuse when i was 14 until i was 15 yrs old by my uncle and i still get alot of flashbacks of his face
2007-03-15 16:28:28 · answer #8 · answered by mkandfa4rever 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not always. I think it is very possible that the episode(s) can been repressed (especially if this happened at a very young age).
2007-03-15 16:03:38 · answer #9 · answered by Amy 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't no i don't think so but they will be scared and it depends on there age as well
2007-03-15 16:04:40 · answer #10 · answered by Titch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋