The subject of sexual abuse of children and adult survivors is still a serious issue in Slovenian society and globally as well. The consequences that adult survivors have suffered, have a major impact on all fields of their lives. Therefore, a process of recovery and coping with person’s own traumas is needed, and this requires a lot of perseverance, strength, and courage on their path to empowerment. The thesis describes a social-historical overview of the phenomenon of sexual abuse in terms of theoretical models and conceptual frameworks of child abuse, legislation in the field of sexual violence, forms of sexual abuse and the dynamics of sexual abuse between perpetrator and victim.
The qualitative research that was conducted in the thesis, helps us elaborating the ways of sexual abuse in childhood and also in adulthood. It shows the spectrum of consequences that adult survivors of sexual abuse have suffered. It reveals to us, who was the perpetrator, where and how the sexual abuse took place, how the disclosure came about, what were the reactions of close ones, relatives , and what survival strategy victims used. Furthermore, the research also points out the ways the victims recovered and what role their parents and other important, close ones played in terms of support. The research also describes the current situation regarding the phenomenon of sexual abuse in society, and available sources of awareness raising and prevention programs at systemic level.
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