Psychological And Physical Crises in Child Victims of Sexual Harassment: A Case Study from Algerian Society

Abstract

Child sexual abuse is one of the most prominent societal issues that carries severe psychological and physical consequences for the victims. However, it often remains within the realm of societal silence due to the stigma and fear of being labeled. This study aims to investigate the psychological and physical crises resulting from child sexual abuse by applying a clinical approach to an intentionally selected case of an eight-year-old girl in the Wilaya of El Oued, Algeria. The study employed various research tools, including a semi-structured interview and Horowitz's Event Scale (1979), to assess the effects of sexual abuse on the case under study. The results showed that the child experienced multiple psychological crises, such as stuttering, recurrent nightmares, and fear of leaving the house, in addition to physical crises, including genital infections and other bodily pains. In conclusion, the study found that child sexual abuse is not merely a transient incident, but rather a profound psychological trauma that can affect the child's development and social behavior in the long term. The study also recommended breaking the societal silence barrier, providing psychological support to child victims, and enhancing awareness and prevention programs for this phenomenon.