Childhood Sexual Abuse / Question
Published: August 20, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I have 2 questions first. Would an 8 year old having sex with a 13 year old willingly be considered sexual assault and if it is what is it called. I don’t know if I have any feelings about this because but I would like to know. I am dealing with having been raped and becoming pregnant as a result and being molested. Also when I was younger about 6 I had this fascination with my sisters genitals and I was always trying to put stuff like rubbing alcohol and perfumes that contained alcohol (I don’t know If wanted to make her feel pain her ) she was only a couple of months old. Is this normal and could this have an affect on her. She seems normal but you never know. These questions have been plaguing me and I don’t know who to ask.
Signed: Sexual Behavior/Abuse Questions Plaguing Me
Dear Sexual Behavior/Abuse Questions Plaguing Me,
Each state in The United States has what is called an “age of consent.” When a person has reached this age of consent they are legally considered able to agree to be sexually active. The age ranges in this country generally range from 16-18, which means that neither an 8 year old nor a 13 year old in any state would be able to legally consent to sex. The reason that this age of consent exists is that because a person under this age is not considered to have the cognitive and/or emotional abilities to be able to make healthy decisions when it comes to engaging in sexual activity. For the sake of either person in this scenario – the 8 year old and the 13 year old – it is important that an adult be notified about what happened so that both can get the help they need to ensure that the sexual activity does not continue, as well as to address the problems that are contributing to this sexually unhealthy behavior. For example, FX wonders if one or both of these children are being (or have been) sexually abused by someone else and that is what is causing them to sexually act out with one another. Those kinds of things need to be looked into and addressed by adults.
As far as your fascination with applying rubbing alcohol and perfumes to your newborn sister’s genitals, this is not typical behavior. You mentioned that you were raped and became pregnant as a result of this rape – however, FX assumes that this must have occurred after the age of 6. What we wonder is whether or not any sexual abuse took place before or around the age of 6 for you. If you were being sexually abused, it could easily lead to increased interest in sexual activity, plus there would understandably be anger and pain related to the abuse, which you may have acted out with your baby sister in trying to cause he pain with the alcohol and perfumes.
FX thinks that it is very important that you meet with a mental health professional who specializes in dealing with victims of sexual abuse. There is the rape and pregnancy which occurred, possible abuse when you were younger, and obviously questions and concerns that you have related to sex and abuse. Being sexually abused as a child, raped as a teen, and dealing with an unwanted pregnancy can all affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in various ways – it may be helpful for you to work with a trained professional as you sort through the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors you are currently experiencing.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Among young people ages 12-17, prescription drugs have become the second most abused illegal drug, behind marijuana.
