Childhood Abuse and Sexual Behaviour

Ben Hughes

School of Social Work and Social Policy

Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Objective

This paper explores the experience of childhood abuse from the perspective of treatment providers

working with individuals who present with risky sexual behaviour in adult life.

Methodology

A phenomenological approach is used which involved a literature review followed by a pilot study,

focus groups, questionnaires and interviews. Participants included 54 treatment providers working

in the area of child care, sexual health and education. Individual face to face interviews were

conducted, recorded, later transcribed and electronically stored. Interpretative Phenomenological

Analysis, (IPA), and Thematic Analysis (TA) are used for data analysis.

Findings

Treatment providers report an increasing number of individuals presenting with risky sexual

behaviour in clinical practice. There is a very wide range of psychological explanations associated

with such behaviour including childhood abuse which is frequently linked to the individual’s

family of origin. The family environments of those abused are often described as ‘dysfunctional’

and include emotional neglect, domestic violence and alcohol and drug addiction.

As a result of child abuse individuals experienced high levels of fear, humiliation and anger

regarding primary relationships. Trust and intimacy in significant relationships are often

compromised. Participants report that these negative experiences damage interpersonal

relationships, lessen the individuals ability to establish secure attachment and increase the

likelihood of developing high risk sexual behaviour.

Conclusions

Childhood abuse negatively impacts the individual’s sexuality and may predispose them to engage

in risky sexual behaviour. Treatment providers will benefit from increased knowledge regarding

abuse and sexual behaviour. Improved training and clinical skill may be required in order to

effectively respond to and provide appropriate therapeutic support to those who seek help for this

issue.

Key Words: Child Abuse, Risky Sexual Behavior, Therapeutic Support, Continuing Professional

Development, Sexual Health