http://www.asiaone.com/Health/Women%27s+Matters/Story/A1Story20090720-155835.html
Mon, Jul 20, 2009
The Straits Times
Rape victim now suffers from low self-esteem
THE chronic, frequent and degrading sexual abuse has resulted in far-reaching psychological harm to the victim.
She has become sexually promiscuous, having sex with older boyfriends since she was in Secondary 2 because she felt 'cheap' and wanted to look for comfort in other men.
'She would have sex with boys whom she knew for one or two days, and she had lost count of the number of boys that she had sex with,' said a report by Dr Cai Yiming of the Child Guidance Clinic.
The victim reported feeling 'very dirty' and troubled, said the psychiatrist.
She has engaged in acts of self-mutilation several times, cutting herself on her arms and legs since she was in Secondary 1.
In Dr Cai's view, she dislikes herself and has low self-esteem.
Down the road, she is at risk of developing a borderline personality disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, and having interpersonal difficulties, he said.
Dr Cai's report said: 'It would be difficult for (the victim), even with intensive counselling, to show recovery as the effects of the sexual abuse on her were quite severe and over a prolonged duration, involving the use of force and physical objects.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Mon, Jul 20, 2009
The Straits Times
Rape victim now suffers from low self-esteem
THE chronic, frequent and degrading sexual abuse has resulted in far-reaching psychological harm to the victim.
She has become sexually promiscuous, having sex with older boyfriends since she was in Secondary 2 because she felt 'cheap' and wanted to look for comfort in other men.
'She would have sex with boys whom she knew for one or two days, and she had lost count of the number of boys that she had sex with,' said a report by Dr Cai Yiming of the Child Guidance Clinic.
The victim reported feeling 'very dirty' and troubled, said the psychiatrist.
She has engaged in acts of self-mutilation several times, cutting herself on her arms and legs since she was in Secondary 1.
In Dr Cai's view, she dislikes herself and has low self-esteem.
Down the road, she is at risk of developing a borderline personality disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, and having interpersonal difficulties, he said.
Dr Cai's report said: 'It would be difficult for (the victim), even with intensive counselling, to show recovery as the effects of the sexual abuse on her were quite severe and over a prolonged duration, involving the use of force and physical objects.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times.