Henrietta Lacks Book Report

The sexual abuse of a child poses problems in society due to the psychological impact it has on children as they develop and mature. Child sexual abuse is “any sexual act with a child performed by an adult or an older child,” this abuse is for both men and women alike (Pandora’s Project). For example, doing things of sexual nature in front of a child like exposing or including them in pornography. Also “sexual touching of the body either clothed or unclothed” (Pandora's Project). Incest is the most common form of childhood sexual abuse (Courtois, 1996). In the book “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”, author Rebecca Skloot touches a sensitive nerve for the readers when she discusses, the life experiences of Deborah Lack, the main character,

“She said nothing about Galen touching her, because she was sure Bobette (her eldest brother's wife) would kill him, and she worried that with Galen dead and Bobette in jail for murdering him, she’d have lost the two people who cared for her the most in the world” (Skloot, pg.115). Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident (National Center for Victims). In addition to the high frequency of children that experience sexual abuse the lack of a thorough understanding of sexual abuse due to the fact that there are various forms of sexual assault. “Sexual abuse occurs whenever one person dominates and exploits another by means of sexual activity or suggestion” (Ratican 1992). Sexual abuse of a child is “any sexual act, overt or covert, between a child and adult (or older child, where the young child’s participation is obtained through seduction or coercion” (Site Work). Thus, sexual abuse of a child is not limited to the abuse of female

Some common mental effects of sexual assault and rape are PTSD which is a mental condition a person who has experience goes through which include ‘flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.” (Joyful Heart). Also, Depression which is a more common feeling of temporary sadness, in extreme cases of depression victims often times contemplate suicide. The last effect would be dissociation where victims are not really in touch with the reality around them causing them to not focus on schoolwork or work related duties. Because a person's sense of stability with themselves has been violated “engaging in self-injurious behaviors can also bring a sense of control over a person’s environment” (Joyful Heart). Immediate physical effects a person can experience after a sexual assault or rape can include: bruising, bleeding (vaginal or anal), difficulty walking, soreness and broken or dislocated bones (Joyful Heart). The effects of sexual abuse often vary for an individual, some usually have built up trust issues, which can affect their sex life as a result of being sexually assaulted. Sometimes a product of being rape is being pregnant which can cause conflicting emotions within the victim “In approximately 5% of cases, rape results in pregnancy” (Joyful Heart). The only way a person who has