Ten Signs in Adults That Show They May Have Been Victims of Sexual Abuse as Children

    PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA, March 21, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- People who avoid dealing with their own victimization or misunderstand the effects of child sexual abuse may manifest severe symptoms and addictions as adults, according to experts.

The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress reports that "one-third of all children are sexually abused before the age of 18." Sexual dysfunction, alcoholism, eating disorders, and an inability to form healthy relationships may be results of sexual trauma experienced as a child.

"Sexual abuse is a devastating act that can leave individuals, including adult survivors, with significant psychological, emotional and physical disorders that may continue indefinitely if not treated," says Peter S. Pelullo, founder of the Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation, an organization he created to help and support adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse throughout the world. The foundation is aligned with and supports the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and its research toward preventing child sexual abuse and improving treatment for survivors of sexual abuse. Among its many missions, the foundation currently helps some of the young men of the alleged Penn State-Jerry Sandusky sex abuse and sexual molestation scandal.

"Unfortunately many victims of childhood sexual abuse don't seek help because of the fear, shame, and manipulation perpetrated on them by their abusers, which lead to the fear that they wouldn't be believed," says Mr. Pelullo, who is also a frequent guest expert on the Dr. Drew show.

Mr. Pelullo, himself an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse, has written a new book, "Betrayal and the Beast," which chronicles his personal journey. For many years he kept hidden and refused to face his own debilitating issues as a survivor of sexual predation--the shame, rage, multiple addictions, depression, and other influences that directly impacted his life. Finally, at the age of fifty-five, Mr. Pelullo confronted the sexual abuse he endured as a child.

Here are ten signs or manifestations in adults that may be indicative of child sexual abuse:

* Drug or alcohol addiction
* Sexual dysfunction
* Severe emotional mood swings (intense anger or sadness, panic attacks)
* Obsessive-compulsive or post-traumatic disorders
* Decline or lack of interest in physical appearance and hygiene
* Depression and anxiety; low self-esteem; frequent bouts of insomnia or nightmares
* Eating disorders, excessive weight gain or loss
* Severe dysfunction in interpersonal relationships
* Emotional detachment; an inability to form bonds of trust
* The pursuit of unhealthy distractions; avoiding topics, people, places, things that may trigger traumatic memories

"Recovery from sexual abuse is not easy, and while it's a difficult journey there is now more help and hope than ever for the men and women who have experienced sexual predation and sexual molestation as children," says Mr. Pelullo. "We have to tell ourselves it's time to move toward a new beginning and start our journey to recovery."

In addition to founding the Let Go...Let Peace Come In Foundation, Peter S. Pelullo was the founder of Philly World Records and Alpha International Recording Studios, where he worked with the Rolling Stones, Foreigner, and Stevie Wonder. He is now an entrepreneur and financier focusing on technology startups.

For more information contact Gretchen Paules at [email protected] or visit www.letgoletpeacecomein.org.

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