Many sexually abused as children

PASADENA, Calif., Jun 22, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A U.S. survey of 17,337 members of Kaiser Permanent HMO health plan concludes 25 percent of women and 16 percent of men were sexually abused as children.

The survey was done with the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Sexually abused children are 40 to 50 percent more likely to report marriage problems when they become adults and are 40 percent more likely to marry an alcoholic, the study said.

"Childhood sexual abuse occurs on a worldwide basis, and although most studies on the long-term consequences of CSA have focused on women, sexual abuse of both boys and girls is prevalent," said Dr. Vincent Felitti with the Kaiser Permanente, San Diego Medical Center.

"An interesting finding of the article is that a significant number of boys were molested by women. All of this is unfortunately well concealed by time, shame, secrecy, and a social taboo against discussing these matters that have such important long-term consequences for health and well-being."

The study is published in the June American Journal of Preventive Medicine.